Overview
Lewis Hamilton is a seven-time world champion, and one of the greatest drivers to ever strap himself into a Formula 1 car. He has won everything there is to win, and will retire with an unparalleled legacy.
Over the years, he has raced hard and raced fast. He has had many people by his side to support him, and the collective support for him makes him stronger, as he always says. Among them is Angela Cullen.
The physiotherapist and performance coach joined Hamilton’s side in 2016, and since then, it has only been onwards and upwards for the British Knight. Her involvement and expertise has made him a better driver. Simply put – Lewis Hamilton can’t race without Angela Cullen.
It’s an important role that Angela takes
Angela Cullen is a performance coach, trainer, physiotherapist and personal assistant. With the ability to juggle multiple roles, the 47-year-old takes up those jobs for Hamilton, making her a crucial part of his life.
It has been five years since Cullen joined Hamilton, and in those five years, Hamilton has only gotten better. Whether it is his driving credentials or his off-track endeavours, he has just had a better quality of life since Cullen stepped in.
Being Hamilton’s performance coach is one of the biggest sporting roles in the world, and Cullen executes it to perfection. She helps Hamilton as his physiotherapist and PA on and off the track.
She ensures that he is mentally focused to go out there and race flat-out. Cullen also monitors and takes care of his fitness regime, diet, and exercise.
Hamilton explained the crucial role Cullen plays for him, and stated that it is a very important position as far as he is concerned.
“So basically when I got to Formula 1, I didn’t have a trainer up until I was in F1 and I was given a trainer,” he said.
“At the time, they’re all called physios. I don’t know how much….I mean a couple of the trainers I had were physios, but they were called the physio for the race weekend.
“It wasn’t until I get back and see Angela, so I was like, ‘why don’t you come on the road with me because I am not training on the race weekends.’
“I actually need a physio that needs my body and what it needs to be as best prepared possibly for a race weekend, and when I am away I can train with whoever.”
“Ange is generally with me until 10-11pm every day, and with me from 6-7am every morning. It’s a very, very important role. A very important relationship.”
The support that Angela lends to Lewis
It is not just a physical role that Cullen plays. Hamilton’s life is influenced by many things in the world today, and being a global superstar obviously comes with its cons. With him being in the spotlight at all times, it becomes important to receive support in close quarters, and Hamilton has that in Cullen.
Cullen has been an integral part of his professional and personal success, with the seven-time champion anointing her as a rock of his life.
Hamilton and Cullen are one of F1’s best driver-trainer pairs. They share an unbreakable bond, so much that they even have matching tattoos, with the word ‘loyalty’ inked on their wrists.
They share the same interests and passions, and have continuously pushed each other to do their best. Hamilton spoke about Cullen’s support, and heaped praise on what she does for him.
“So Angela and I are naturally incredibly close,” Hamilton said, as quoted by crash.net.
“We pretty much live together and we’re close as friends also. I am very, very lucky to have found Angela because she’s a very special human being.
“I don’t think that this year has brought us any closer than any other year because we’re incredibly close as it is, but we love our job. We love doing what we do, we love doing it together.
“I am incredibly grateful to be able to have her on the road with me. I don’t think I could do it without her.”
Angela Cullen being next to Lewis Hamilton during each race
Cullen has a calming presence on Hamilton. She is always next to him during every race, helping him and just being there for him no matter what the circumstances are.
Cullen’s role in Hamilton’s life was best summed up by paddock photographer Kym Illman, who said, “She’s been in the field of sport for some 25 years, she’s his PA, his driver, his performance coach, his confidante, his friend.
“It is her role to eliminate all the distractions for Lewis over a race weekend, so for 4 days, she’s with him almost every minute of those 4 days.”
Hamilton himself talked about Cullen’s presence, and praised the positivity she brings to the table.
“People for sure won’t understand it, naturally, because they see it from a distance, but she has been one of the greatest things that’s happened to me in my life,” he said.
“I’ve been fortunate to work with a lot of people, and she’s the single hardest-working woman that I get to be around. She’s focused, selfless, and she makes my weekends peaceful.
“Every day I wake up, whatever time it is, she’s just positive – never a single day has she been negative, so that’s very, very important.
“I think it’s important in life to put positive people around you. You can’t be going around with deadweights, you can’t be going around with people who don’t inspire you to be better and lift you up when you’re down. You need to be around people who can do that for you, and she’s one of them,” he concluded.
All said and done, it’s safe to say her impact is so monumental that Hamilton can’t race without Cullen.
Read more: Angela Cullen: Age, height, weight, relationship with Lewis Hamilton, career