Lewis Hamilton and Angela Cullen Part Ways Again Amid Early L…read more
Lewis Hamilton’s maiden home Grand Prix as a Ferrari driver at Imola turned into a memorable weekend filled with on-track excitement and a notable off-track development. While the seven-time world champion powered to an impressive fourth-place finish—matching Ferrari’s best result of the 2025 season—another significant moment unfolded quietly behind the scenes. Hamilton and his long-time performance coach and confidante, Angela Cullen, have once again gone their separate ways, though both maintain the split is amicable.
Qualifying on Saturday left both Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc frustrated, as Ferrari’s persistent tyre warm-up problems struck again. Hamilton described the issue as “a rude awakening” after neither driver progressed past Q2. However, the race on Sunday saw a dramatic turnaround. Thanks to a smart strategy during a mid-race Safety Car period and a string of fast laps, Hamilton climbed through the field to secure fourth place, sparking cheers from the devoted tifosi in the stands.
Amid the celebrations, eagle-eyed observers noticed Cullen departing the paddock with her luggage. Not long after, both Sky Sports F1 and La Gazzetta dello Sport confirmed that Cullen would no longer be attending every Grand Prix. Instead, she will be scaling back her presence in the paddock to focus on launching her own human performance consultancy based in New Zealand. The decision is said to be mutual, with no reported tension between the two. Cullen is expected to remain part of Hamilton’s wider support circle and could attend select races throughout the season.
Ferrari insiders noted that Hamilton has grown more at ease working with the Scuderia’s in-house performance team. According to team principal Frédéric Vasseur, the agreement leaves the door open for Cullen to return at key races, such as Monaco or Monza. This flexibility was reportedly written into Hamilton’s contract, allowing him to request occasional support from outside specialists if needed.
Cullen, who was a visible and vital part of Hamilton’s dominant run during his Mercedes years, marked the latest transition with a symbolic Instagram post. She shared an image of her iconic scooter parked next to a Ferrari equipment crate, with the caption: “Chapter closed, but the story never ends.”
The long-term impact of her reduced presence remains uncertain. While Hamilton’s performance at Imola demonstrated increasing confidence in Ferrari’s internal setup, questions remain about his qualifying pace—especially ahead of the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix, where precision and preparation are crucial. Some F1 analysts recall a minor dip in his Saturday performances back in 2023, during Cullen’s initial break from the paddock.
With the demanding triple-header of Monaco, Barcelona, and Montréal approaching, the spotlight will be on whether Ferrari can provide Hamilton with the same tailored physical and mental preparation Cullen once did. Still, both Hamilton and Cullen emphasize that their bond remains strong.
“We’re like family—just taking different flights,” Hamilton remarked after the race, underscoring that their split represents a natural progression in their relationship rather than a definitive end.
