Simon Tassie

Lewis Hamilton on the podium for the second time in 2022. Image courtesy of Pirelli F1 Media

Lewis Hamilton announced a split from his performance coach Angela Cullen with both posting on their social media channels

Angela has been by Lewis side for much of his time at Mercedes.
The 48 year old has become a familiar face to millions of fans.
Angelas role was as much personal assistant and personal trainer, the two clearly became close friends

“For the last seven years, Angela Cullen has been by my side, pushing me to be the best version of myself,” the Lewis said on Instagram ahead of the Saudi Grand Prix in Jeddah.
“I am a stronger athlete and a better person because of her. So today I hope you’ll join me in wishing her the very best as she takes her next steps to pursue her dreams”

“Thank you for everything Ang, I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for you.”

Angela said on her Instagram page “that it was seven years to the day since she stood in the F1 paddock in Australia for the first time.
“I am so grateful and blessed to have had this incredible journey in F1 and I know my story will continue,” she said.
Thanks to the MB team who have been my family for the last seven years.

“And @lewishamilton you GOAT!! It’s been such an honour and pleasure to stand along side you. I’m so proud of you and everything you have achieved.”

Will Lewis find someone else to fill the giant void left by Angela or continue alone?

Where will Angela go next? It has to be tough on family life to travel round the world with the Grand Prix circus.

Every January Formula one fans have one thing on their minds, no not I’ve got to stick to my resolutions but the thought that the new car launches are but a few weeks away, as F1 starts to awaken from it’s winter slumber.

This year more so than most, with a vast change in the regulations in an attempt to try and bring the cars closer together with aero changes that in theory should allow for close racing and hopefully overtaking.

After the launches of Aston Martin, Haas, and Red Bull, all had been pretty underwhelming with just what seemed to be new liveries on modified show cars we really didn’t expect much more from McLaren.

But this event would be slightly different with the launches of not just the MCL36 but the Arrow McLaren SP, ExtremeE MX and E sports with McLaren Shadow.

The Extreme E team and IndyCar Arrows McLaren SP are pretty much as we expected, just a livery launch, there’s a lot of Papaya with hints of the Gulf inspired colour scheme.

Now we get down to what we’ve been waiting for, both Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo are presented to the crowd to much plum and applause from the papaya fans, they both look well rested tanned and raring to go.

And now for MCL36 it’s definitely an improvement on last years colour scheme still lots of papaya it’s very bright, you won’t miss them on the track, they have a fantastic re imagining of the Gulf livery we last saw at Monaco last year.

The 2022 rear spoiler is very different from the 2021 cars, the wheel hubs are back and there’s now a cowling over the front wheels.

Obviously we can’t see the ground affect but we can assume it’s going to be where a lot of time will be gained or lost.

To the naked eye and for someone with very little technical or engineering knowledge the main difference between the cars so far seems to be the colour schemes.

Will McLaren make another big step forward, will they win races, or even potentially fight for the championships?

It won’t be to long before we find out with the first of two tests commencing in Barcelona on the 23rd of February.

As they say “if it goes as fast as it looks it’s gonna be a winner”

Images courtesy of McLaren F1 team

Simon Tassie

Angela Cullen parts ways with Lewis Hamilton

MCL36 Launch Friday the 11th of February