Martin Brundle has his say on Angela Cullen’s return with Lewis Hamilton as a…read more
F1 commentator Martin Brundle has shared his thoughts on Lewis Hamilton’s decision to reunite with Angela Cullen as he adjusts to his new life at Ferrari, calling it a “very smart” move. As the 2025 Formula 1 season kicks off, one of the biggest stories in the motorsport world is Hamilton’s switch from Mercedes to Ferrari. This marks the end of his 12-year stint with Mercedes, and Brundle believes that bringing Cullen back into the fold will play a crucial role in Hamilton’s success as he adapts to his new environment.
For Hamilton, the transition to Ferrari is monumental. After over a decade of working with the same team and engineers, including his trusted race engineer, Peter ‘Bono’ Bonnington, Hamilton is entering unfamiliar territory. One of the most significant changes involves the absence of Bonnington, who could not follow Hamilton to Ferrari. Instead, Hamilton has opted to bring back Cullen, who worked with him as his physiotherapist between 2016 and 2023.
Brundle views this move as a very astute decision, especially given the challenges Hamilton faces in adjusting to a new team dynamic. The F1 commentator pointed out that while Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari is a major step, it seems to be one that’s already paying off. Hamilton, who has not been seen as happy and energetic in recent years, now appears rejuvenated. Brundle remarked, “I’ve never seen him smile so much,” reflecting on the positive shift in Hamilton’s demeanor since the switch. The move to Ferrari, according to Brundle, seems to be the change Hamilton needed after years of consistent high-level competition with Mercedes.
Brundle further explained that although many F1 legends, such as Fernando Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen, Michael Schumacher, and Niki Lauda, have taken breaks from the sport and made successful comebacks, Hamilton has never had a break since his F1 debut in 2007. However, he believes Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is serving as a much-needed refresh for the driver, even if it’s not a literal break. Observing Hamilton’s words and body language, Brundle suggests that Hamilton is feeling reenergized and invigorated by this new chapter in his career.
Beyond just bringing Cullen back into the fold, Hamilton has also made sure to surround himself with the right people to facilitate a smooth transition into Ferrari. In addition to Cullen, Marc Hynes, Hamilton’s long-time manager, has also been involved in the process. Hynes has been with Hamilton for several years, helping to manage the logistical side of the transition. According to Brundle, Hamilton’s strategic approach to integrating himself into the Ferrari team has been key to his early success at the Scuderia. The presence of both Cullen and Hynes will allow Hamilton to focus on the task at hand, knowing that his support team is there to help him navigate the challenges of adapting to a new team and car.
Overall, Brundle commended Hamilton for making such a thoughtful and proactive decision in bringing Cullen back into his corner at Ferrari. The reunited partnership, coupled with Hamilton’s growing enthusiasm for the new opportunity, may prove to be an important factor in his success in the upcoming season and beyond. As the new season kicks off in Australia, all eyes will be on Hamilton to see how he performs in his new red Ferrari and whether this change will bring him the success he hopes for.
