In a shocking turn of events, Lewis Hamilton’s longtime confidant and physiotherapist Angela Cullen has announced her departure from Ferrari hours after the seven-time world champion’s disastrous performance at the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix on June 1.

In a cryptic five-word statement — “I can’t watch this anymore” — posted on Instagram Stories at 4:02pm on June 4, 2025, Cullen hinted at her deep frustration with Ferrari’s struggles and Hamilton’s high-profile incident with Max Verstappen that led to controversy and the Red Bull driver’s suspension.

The announcement, made just months after Cullen and Hamilton’s famous encounter at Ferrari, rocked Formula 1, raising questions about the team’s internal dynamics and Hamilton’s championship hopes.

Cullen’s departure came after a tumultuous Spanish Grand Prix, where Hamilton, who started third, was on course for a podium finish but retired after a collision with Verstappen on lap 64. The incident, sparked by a fight for fourth place after a safety car restart, earned Verstappen a penalty for aggressive driving, while Hamilton’s race ended in the gravel, marking his second retirement of 2025. Ferrari’s underperforming SF-25, criticised for its pace and poor tyre management, left Hamilton a distant seventh in the drivers’ standings, 72 points behind leader Oscar Piastri. Fans on X-Fan speculated that Cullen’s departure was due to frustration at Ferrari’s failure to provide Hamilton with a competitive car, with one user writing: “Angela left because Ferrari are letting Lewis down.” Others highlighted the emotional toll of Hamilton’s crash, amplified by Verstappen’s accusations that team-mate George Russell had “set him up”.

Cullen, who returned to Hamilton in January 2025 after a two-year hiatus, was seen as a significant step in his transition from

Mercedes at Ferrari. His presence at pre-season testing in Bahrain and Fiorano in Ferrari red fuelled optimism over Hamilton’s chances of a record eighth title. Hamilton himself welcomed Cullen’s return, telling Sky Sports F1: “Ange’s return is fantastic, he’s my rock.” The partnership, forged by four championship wins with Mercedes from 2016 to 2023, was expected to steady Hamilton in the pressure-packed environment of Maranello. However, Ferrari’s inconsistent season, marked by Charles Leclerc’s struggles and a lack of development, has dampened expectations, with the team trailing McLaren and Red Bull in the constructors’ standings.

Cullen’s statement, while brief, speaks volumes. Sources close to the team, cited by Motorsport.com, suggest she was disappointed with Ferrari’s strategic errors, particularly after a botched pit stop strategy at the Spanish Grand Prix that forced Hamilton to use worn medium tyres against Verstappen’s hard tyres. Her departure echoes her departure from Mercedes in 2023, where she pursued personal adventures before briefly teaming up with IndyCar driver Marcus Armstrong. Fans on X expressed their sadness, with one writing: “Angela gone again? Lewis needs her!” Others speculated about a return to IndyCar or another hiatus, given her mental health.

Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur declined to comment directly but acknowledged the pressure of Hamilton’s move to the top-flight team, saying: “We are working to give Lewis the car he deserves.” Hamilton, meanwhile, has remained silent on Cullen’s departure but faced widespread criticism after his clash with Verstappen, with some at X calling him “past his prime.” The loss of Cullen, a key emotional and professional pillar, could shake Hamilton ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, where Ferrari will be hoping to bounce back. His departure also reignites debate over Ferrari’s ability to manage top drivers, with comparisons being drawn to Sebastian Vettel’s turbulent tenure from 2015 to 2020.

As the F1 world digests this bombshell, Cullen’s cryptic statement leaves more questions than answers. Was his departure motivated by Ferrari’s failures, Hamilton’s struggles or the emotional fallout from the Spanish GP controversy? With Hamilton’s championship dreams fading and Ferrari’s season in ruins, Cullen’s departure marks a turning point, casting a shadow over Maranello’s ambitions. Fans and pundits alike will now be watching closely how Hamilton deals with this defeat, both on and off the track, in a season already marked by drama and disappointment.