Lewis Hamilton’s hopes of an eighth world title at Ferrari could be set for a major boost thanks to rumours about a surprise reunion.
The British Formula 1 icon, who turned 40 this week, is aiming to achieve the incredible in 2025.
The most successful team and driver in the history of the sport have united, and a drivers’ world title would be Hamilton’s record breaking fifth and Ferrari’s first since 2007.
Given recent form and Hamilton being beaten by Mercedes teammate George Russell in 2024, hopes aren’t exactly high, but a key personnel change could make a huge difference.
With Hamilton celebrating his 40th birthday away skiing, eagle-eyed fans have noticed his former physio and trainer Angela Cullen has been on the slopes at the same time.
The pair, who split before the 2023 season, have both posted images of themselves on top of mountains skiing which has led to rife speculation about a reunion, particularly with Cullen wearing a Ferrari red coat.
That might not sound like much, but let’s allow Hamilton to explain how influential she was on his career.
“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 after their split.
“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.”
Hamilton and Cullen were almost inseparable during their seven years together with the New Zealander always by the no.44’s side in the paddock.
@lewishamiltonHamilton’s away skiing for his birthday[/caption]
@cullen_angelaAnd F1 fans have jumped on Cullen being on the slopes at the same time[/caption]
In fact, his best period in F1 coincided with their time together as he picked up four of his seven championships working with her at Mercedes.
That ‘positive energy’ could also be hugely timely too, with Hamilton hitting new lows in 2024, despite it being a season when he ended a two-year winless streak at home at Silverstone.
Almost every time Mercedes showed race-winning promise during the campaign they would drop off the next session, leading to a culmination of frustrations in Brazil.
After coming home in a disappointing tenth, the Brit called his car ‘the worst it’s ever been’ and a cryptic radio message led some to think he was going to quit with three races to go.
“If this is the last time I get to perform it was a shame it wasn’t great but I’m grateful for you,” said Hamilton, who later confirmed he wasn’t joking around.
“In the moment that’s how I felt, like I didn’t really want to come back after that weekend,” he admitted.
“It’s frustrating when you have a season like this, which I’m pretty sure I won’t have again, or at least I’ll work towards not having again.”
Cullen could well be the boost Hamilton requires, and those in Italy will be keeping their fingers crossed that the skiing pictures were far more than a mere coincidence.
