After seven years of teamwork, Lewis Hamilton and Angela Cullen, his long-term performance coach, have split. Cullen had been a member of Hamilton’s personal staff since 2016, and the two had split up, according to an announcement Hamilton made on social media. After the passing of his old physiotherapist and mentor Aki Hintsa, the New Zealander teamed up with Hamilton in 2016.
Her retirement was announced on Instagram on Friday by both Hamilton and Cullen but did not specify whether this weekend’s Saudi Arabia Grand Prix would be her final race.
Cullen was a witness to four of his F1 World Championship victories and stood by his side. “For the last seven years @cullen_angela has been by my side, pushing me to be the best version of myself,” Hamilton wrote on his Instagram when delivering this upsetting news.
Angela’s role on the paddock
Those who have been following F1 closely are accustomed to noticing a blonde by Hamilton’s side at all times. That is none other than Angela Cullen. Born on 5 August 1974, in Devonport, Auckland, New Zealand. Cullen was an athlete from a young age and was involved in various sports. She received her Bachelor’s degree in health science and physiotherapy from Auckland University of Technology.
Cullen gained experience working with top athletes and some of the greatest physiotherapists in the world, which she would later find useful when she joined the Formula 1 team. After Dr. Hintsa’s sad demise, McLaren’s team physician, in 2016, she received the opportunity to work with the Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton.
Lewis Hamilton parts ways with his long-time trainer Angela Cullen
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 17, 2023
Wishing you all the best for your next journey, Angela 🙌
📸 x @LewisHamilton #SaudiArabianGP #F1 @MercedesAMGF1 pic.twitter.com/rlBreieFKq
Lewis Hamilton described Angela to be the reason why he is a “stronger athlete and a better person.” Angela, through Instagram, mentioned that it had been exactly seven years since she first took a seat in the F1 paddock in Australia. “I am so grateful and blessed to have had this incredible journey in F1 and I know my story will continue,” said the 48-year-old.
According to Hamilton, she is a high focus, selfless person who brought in a lot of positive energy. He also describes his trainer as his inspiration with people who would lift him up whenever he was down. Cullen says it has been “an honor and pleasure” to stand by the 7XWDC champion and calls her F1 journey to be an “incredible” one.
Lewis Hamilton bids farewell to Angela Cullen on Instagram
On 17 March 2023, Hamilton took to Instagram to thank his now-former trainer, Angela Cullen for years of companionship and to wish her luck for the future. Cullen, in appreciation, thanked him by saying “I am so excited to watch the next chapter for you. There’s nothing you can’t do. Don’t stop believing…”
Hamilton, one of the most successful Formula 1 drivers of all time, has not yet claimed a victory since his 103rd triumph at Jeddah in December 2021.
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The 2023 Formula 1 season has already begun, and Mercedes has a car that appears inferior to that of Red Bull, the defending champions, for the first time in Hamilton’s Formula 1 career. Although Hamilton’s contract with Mercedes expires at the end of the current campaign, he believes that he is not leaving the team anytime soon and will come up with a new deal.
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