Lewis Hamilton denies speculation of a rift with trainer Angela Cullen after surprise split

·2-min read
Lewis Hamilton assisted by Angela Cullen before a race. Austria July 2022 Credit: Alamy
Lewis Hamilton assisted by Angela Cullen before a race. Austria July 2022 Credit: Alamy

Lewis Hamilton has rubbished suggestions of a fall-out with his former trainer Angela Cullen, the seven-time World Champion revealing they’re still “texting every day”.

Hamilton announced on the Friday of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix that he had parted ways with Cullen, who joined his team back in 2016.

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Taking on the role of performance coach, the New Zealander was part of the Briton’s inner circle and was assisting him as recently as the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.

But announcing their split not even two weeks later, Hamilton’s team boss Toto Wolff told the media in Bahrain that when things aren’t working, it’s time to change.

The Austrian said: “I think in every team, this is not a static situation that you can freeze because we all develop as people and as an organisation.

“If things don’t work out anymore then we need to be honest about it and bring change.

“But if this is what he decides, we will always absolutely support him whatever direction he wants to take.”

That led to suggestions of a fall-out between the two, but that’s been denied by Hamilton.

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“Me and Ange are good,” the seven-time World Champion said as per the Daily Mail.

“She’s moving on to a different phase in her life. We’re still super-close and we have been texting every day.

“She’s massively supportive and I’m massively supportive of her.

“I’m so grateful to have had her with me on this journey. She’s one of my closest friends and she continues to be.”

Both had been full of praise for one another in their statements on social media announcing the end of their partnership as driver and trainer.

Hamilton in his statement said he was a “stronger athlete and a better person because of her” while Cullen said it was an “honour and pleasure to stand alongside” the seven-time World Champion.

The Mercedes driver will line up seventh on Sunday night’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Hamilton admitting his frustration after finishing Q3 almost four tenths down on team-mate George Russell.

“George did a great job,” he said. “He’s right up there on the second row. The car’s obviously got performance.

“I don’t feel connected to this car. No matter what I do, no matter what I change, I can’t get confidence in it. I’m at a bit of a loss with it.”

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