Lewis Hamilton is losing much more than a physiotherapist – Angela Cullen was his closest ally and confidant in the Formula 1 paddock.
It's not uncommon for F1 drivers to develop a special bond with the team members closest to them. After all, they spend much of the year on the road away from home and their families, and can benefit from the extra support that those travelling companions provide.
The relationship between Hamilton and Cullen was no different. She acted as his physiotherapist and personal assistant, but her greatest contribution was to be the person the seven-time world champion could rely upon without fail.
Hamilton announced on Friday, ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend, that their long-time partnership has come to an end. "I am a stronger athlete and a better person because of her," he wrote as part of an emotional message to Cullen on social media.
That verdict along from the Mercedes star cements Cullen's status as one of the unsung heroes of his extraordinary F1 career. He previously attempted to explain her importance to him as he spoke about the nature of their unique bond.
"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 declared. "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 dead weights, 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."
It remains to be seen who will replace Cullen as Hamilton's physio and assistant going forward. But whoever takes on those roles has some enormous shoes to fill.
