Angela Cullen has dropped a bombshell on the Formula 1 world, announcing her abrupt departure from Ferrari with a searing five-word statementāāI canāt fix broken spiritsāājust days after Lewis Hamiltonās disastrous eighth-place finish at the Miami Grand Prix on May 4, 2025.
The physiotherapist and long-time confidante of the seven-time world champion rejoined Hamiltonās team earlier this year for his high-profile Ferrari switch,
but her exit following a tense race weekend has reignited concerns about Hamiltonās form and Ferrariās internal dynamics, leaving fans and insiders questioning whatās next for the embattled British star.
Cullenās return to Hamiltonās side in early 2025 was seen as a cornerstone of his transition to Ferrari, where he aimed to chase an unprecedented eighth title. The New Zealander, who supported Hamilton through four championship victories at Mercedes from 2016 to 2023, had been instrumental in his mental and physical preparation, often acting as a stabilizing force during high-pressure races. Their reunion, confirmed during pre-season testing in Bahrain, was met with optimism, with Hamilton praising her role in providing a āgood foundationā for his new chapter.
However, the Miami GP exposed deep cracks in that foundation. Hamiltonās frustration boiled over during the race, as he clashed with Ferrari over a delayed position swap with teammate Charles Leclerc, sarcastically suggesting the team āhave a tea breakā while he lost time. The FIA later penalized Hamilton for his radio outburst, citing a breach of conduct with a 10-second time addition and a reprimand, though his eighth-place finish remained unchanged.
The Miami debacle marked a low point in Hamiltonās Ferrari tenure, which has been rocky since his P10 finish in Australia and a disqualification in China earlier this season. Despite a Sprint win in Shanghai, his grand prix results have lagged, and insiders suggest Cullen struggled to reignite the championās fire. Her cryptic five-word statement, shared via a now-deleted social media post on May 5, 2025, at 04:21 PM +07, hints at deeper issuesāpossibly Hamiltonās mental state or Ferrariās inability to harness his potential. Sources close to the team reveal Cullen felt increasingly sidelined as Hamiltonās frustrations grew, with her role reduced amid Ferrariās rigid team structure. Unlike at Mercedes, where she had significant influence, Ferrariās environment reportedly left her unable to provide the support Hamilton needed, prompting her exit.
Cullenās departure raises serious questions about Ferrariās handling of Hamilton, who at 40 is under immense pressure to deliver. The teamās strategy missteps in Miami, coupled with Hamiltonās visible discontent, suggest a disconnect that could derail their 2025 campaign. Meanwhile, McLarenās Oscar Piastri dominated the race, stretching his championship lead, while Hamilton languishes without a podium in his first Ferrari season. Cullenās exit also fuels speculation about her next moveāsome suggest a return to IndyCar, where she worked with Marcus Armstrong in 2024, while others wonder if sheāll reconnect with Hamilton outside Ferrariās framework. For now, Ferrari faces a PR crisis and a driver in turmoil, with the paddock buzzing about whether Hamilton can salvage his dream moveāor if Miami marks the beginning of the end