Angela Cullen has broken her silence after it was confirmed she was leaving Mercedes, ending a successful seven-year partnership with Lewis Hamilton. The Silver Arrows superstar took to social media to hail Cullen on Friday, and now she has returned the favour.
She wrote: “Exactly seven years ago on this day, I was standing in the F1 paddock for the first time at the Australian GP. Today I’m excited to share I’m off on my next adventure.
“I am so grateful and blessed to have had this incredible journey in F1, and I know my story will continue.
“Thanks to the MB team, who have been my family for the past seven years. And @lewishamilton you GOAT!!
“It’s been such an honour and pleasure to stand alongside you. I’m so proud of you and everything you have achieved.
“Thank you for supporting me, believing in me and showing me the limitless potential we all have within us. I am so excited to watch the next chapter for you. There’s nothing you can’t do.
Don’t stop believing… Lives journey is one big wave. Keep riding. Dream big. As Dreams do come true. Forever by your side. STILL WE RISE.”
Cullen partnered with Hamilton as his trainer and physiotherapist in 2016 and helped him dominate F1 with Mercedes, equalling Michael Schumacher’s seven world championships in 2020.
She was regularly spotted outside of race weekends with the 38-year-old, who previously described their relationship as ‘extremely close’.
He paid a heartfelt tribute to Cullen on Instagram after her Mercedes exit was confirmed.
“For the last seven years, @cullen_angela has been by my side, pushing me to be the best version of myself. I am a stronger athlete and a better person because of her,” Hamilton wrote.
“So today, I hope you’ll join me in wishing her the very best as she takes her next steps to pursue her dreams.
“Thank you for everything, Ang. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for you.”
Hamilton will be back in action this weekend at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after salvaging a positive result from a frustrating opener in Bahrain.
The Brit finished in P5 behind both Red Bulls, Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz, profiting from Charles Leclerc’s DNF.
But there will be frustration that Mercedes remain so far behind Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez’s packages, with the prospect of back-to-back Red Bull constructors’ championships looming large.
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