BREAKING: It’s time for me to go home’ Angela Cullen surprisingly quited as Lewis Hamilton’s…. Read more
Surprising Twist in Formula 1: Angela Cullen Reportedly Quits as Lewis Hamilton’s Key Performance Aid
In a development that has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 community, Angela Cullen, the long-time physiotherapist, performance coach, and trusted confidante to seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, has reportedly stepped away from her role as his personal aid. This surprising decision comes at a time when Hamilton is settling into his new chapter with Scuderia Ferrari, following his high-profile switch from Mercedes ahead of the 2025 season.
Cullen, the New Zealand-born physiotherapist, first joined Hamilton’s inner circle in 2016, shortly after the passing of his mentor Aki Hintsa. Over the next seven years, she became an indispensable part of his success at Mercedes, contributing to four consecutive drivers’ championships from 2017 to 2020. Known for her multifaceted role, Cullen handled everything from physical training, nutrition, and rehabilitation to serving as his chauffeur, wardrobe manager, and emotional support system. Fans affectionately dubbed her Hamilton’s “guardian angel,” and the pair developed a deep bond, even getting matching tattoos as a symbol of their mutual respect and loyalty.
Their partnership was widely regarded as one of the most enduring and effective in modern F1. Hamilton often credited Cullen for helping him become “a stronger athlete and a better person,” praising her positive energy and dedication in interviews. She was a constant presence in the paddock, rarely missing a race weekend, and her visibility made her a fan favorite with hundreds of thousands of followers on social media.
The original separation occurred back in March 2023, just before the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Both Hamilton and Cullen announced the split via heartfelt Instagram posts, describing it as the start of a “new adventure” for her after exactly seven years. At the time, no dramatic rift was reported—Hamilton emphasized gratitude, while Cullen expressed excitement for fresh opportunities. Insiders later clarified that the departure was not a resignation by Cullen herself but a management decision within Hamilton’s personal team (often referred to as “Team Lewis” or Project 44) aimed at refreshing dynamics and restructuring support staff.
Following the split, Cullen took time away from the high-pressure F1 world. She focused on family, travel, and personal pursuits, including adventure activities like paragliding. In 2024, she returned to motorsport in a different capacity, working as a physiotherapist for fellow New Zealander Marcus Armstrong in the IndyCar Series. This period allowed her to step back from the relentless global travel and intensity of F1 while staying connected to elite performance coaching.
However, the story took an emotional turn when Hamilton moved to Ferrari for 2025. Rumors of a reunion began swirling in late 2024 and early 2025, fueled by social media posts showing Cullen in red attire—coinciding with Hamilton’s own red-themed updates and confirmed sightings at Ferrari’s Fiorano test track. Multiple sources reported that Hamilton personally reached out, inviting her to rejoin his performance team under Project 44, now aligned with the Scuderia. Cullen accepted, returning as part of the group overseen by Hamilton’s long-time collaborator Marc Hynes.
Hamilton spoke warmly about the reunion during pre-season testing in Bahrain, calling it “really exciting” and noting they had “been having a blast.” He highlighted the importance of a strong foundation of familiar faces during his transition to a new team, emphasizing their shared history: “We’ve gone through a lot… She took a couple of years out to be with her family and discover the world, and asking her to come back was really awesome.”
Yet, in this latest surprising development as of early 2026, reports indicate that Cullen has once again quit her role as Hamilton’s primary aid. The exact reasons remain unclear whether due to personal choices, evolving team needs, or other commitments but it marks another unexpected shift in one of F1’s most iconic partnerships. Fans have expressed disappointment on social media, with many hoping for another reunion given the positive impact Cullen has historically had on Hamilton’s performance and well-being.
This news arrives as Hamilton continues his pursuit of an eighth world title in red, now without one of his most trusted allies by his side on a daily basis. The F1 paddock will be watching closely to see how this change affects his preparation and whether Cullen pursues new adventures elsewhere. For now, the “guardian angel” chapter appears to have closed again leaving admirers reflecting on the profound influence she had during Hamilton’s dominant years.
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