Ahead of this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton has opened up on his split from friend and former trainer Angela Cullen, whose departure from the Mercedes driver’s side was announced ahead of the recent Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Cullen started working with Hamilton seven years ago in 2016, with the duo having been inseparable ever since both on and off the circuit.
It’s because of this that her departure came as such a big shock, especially when it was hinted by Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff that it was Hamilton’s choice.
Cullen saw Hamilton claim his four most recent titles, with the duo having shared “one of the longest relationships” in Formula 1.
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Since their split, Hamilton has confirmed that the duo remain in contact every day and that they will always be “stuck with each other”.
“Angela is living her life right now,” Hamilton told Sky Sports F1.
“She’s got so many ideas of things she wants to do. We message pretty much every day. We are still going to skydive together. We are always going to be in each other’s lives.
“We’re stuck with each other, unfortunately, or fortunately! We’ve been through thick and thin. I am grateful our relationship is as good as it is. We’ve probably had one of the longest relationships I would say in the sport.
“I am incredibly grateful for her, I love her dearly. I think now I have got one of the guys, Stevo, who has been with me since my first race with McLaren, is helping me out as well.”
Hamilton went on to discuss just how important it is to have solid team and a physio around you, with the 103-time World Champion having been surrounded by people who can encourage him throughout his career.
A lot of this mentality came from former McLaren doctor Aki Hintsa, who played a huge role in the start of Hamilton’s career.
Hintsa sadly died towards the end of 2016 from cancer.
“Well when I started in F1, my dear friend Aki [Hintsa], passed away from cancer, had a huge influence on me, getting into a team and started up this company that was servicing athletes – pretty much all the drivers use Hintsa,” Hamilton added.
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“For medical, trainer applications, physios, stuff like that. It’s an incredibly challenging role for anyone in those positions. It’s a lot of travelling, a lot of time away from family.
“You grow incredibly close together – during your weekends or where you’re travelling, it’s usually you or your trainer or physio.
“It’s incredibly intimate in that sense – you become great friends.”