Before quitting the series during the 2023 season, Angela Cullen said she had to go through a “steep learning curve” when working with Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes.
Before the 2016 season, Cullen teamed up with Hamilton. It was during this time that he lost to Nico Rosberg in the intra-team race for the Drivers’ Championship. This result set off an unprecedented streak in which the two teams won four consecutive World Championships together.
Cullen and Hamilton became close friends with the trainer who was always by his side on race weekends during their time together. The British commented, “I miss her every day,” following her departure from his camp in 2023. Every day, she provided me with a breath of fresh air. Over the seven years that we collaborated, she was always a huge assistance.
She was and remains a close friend. We’re planning on getting back together and doing something fun soon—like maybe parachute jumping. We will always be together. I’m incredibly appreciative of everything she’s given me.
Cullen returned to the world of motorsports earlier this year with Marcus Armstrong, a former darling of the Ferrari driver academy who is currently in his sophomore year with Chip Ganassi Racing in IndyCar.
Cullen said on the IndyCar YouTube page, “I went straight to Formula One when I came into motorsport.” I spent seven years working with Mercedes-Benz and Lewis Hamilton, so there was a significant learning curve for me. I was learning about the sport as well as the demands placed on drivers by motorsports.
She continued, “So when I left Formula One, I thought I was moving away from motorsport,” to explain her comeback to the sport. I retired. After taking a year off the previous year, I got in touch with Marcus Armstrong and we started working on mental skills and other background stuff.
“They connected us over the offseason; I was sponsored by SOS Hydration, and he was sponsored by the same company. “Do you want to come to a race?” he asked. “Oh yeah, please, I would love to come out.”
“Oh my God, I’m in love with IndyCar—it’s so much fun. I feel like it just hit me.” I was astounded by everyone in the paddock’s level of competence as well as the racing and drivers. Thus, I came and I have stayed.
