Lewis Hamilton’s first Italian home Grand Prix as a Ferrari driver at Imola was full of drama and emotion, both on and off the track. The seven-time world champion delivered a strong performance, finishing fourth—matching Ferrari’s best result of the 2025 season so far. However, behind the scenes, a quieter but impactful development unfolded: Hamilton and his longtime performance coach, Angela Cullen, have once again parted ways.
The weekend didn’t start smoothly for Hamilton, particularly during Saturday’s qualifying. Ferrari continued to struggle with tyre warm-up issues, which caught both drivers by surprise and led to an early Q2 exit. Hamilton described the situation as “a rude awakening.” Despite these setbacks, Sunday’s race told a different story. With a smartly timed pit stop under the Safety Car and a series of quick laps, Hamilton was able to fight his way up the order. His gritty performance and strategic driving thrilled the passionate tifosi who filled the Imola grandstands.
After the race, a telling moment suggested a major shift in Hamilton’s inner circle—Angela Cullen was seen leaving the circuit with her luggage. Soon after, credible outlets such as Sky Sport F1 and La Gazzetta dello Sport confirmed that Cullen would be stepping down from her full-time role with Hamilton’s team.
Reports indicate that the split was amicable and mutually agreed upon. Cullen intends to focus on launching a human performance consultancy in her home country, New Zealand. This new chapter marks a shift in her career after years of traveling with and supporting Hamilton through many of his most defining moments in Formula 1.
While Cullen will no longer be part of the day-to-day grind of the F1 season, she is expected to attend select races going forward, maintaining a supportive, though less frequent, presence. Her absence will certainly be felt, as she has come to symbolize Hamilton’s relentless drive for excellence.
Ultimately, Hamilton’s weekend at Imola was a testament to his resilience and adaptability, both in the face of racing challenges and as he navigates changes within his trusted support team.
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