Lewis Hamilton joins Ferrari off the back of his poorest F1 season to date. It was the first time he’d finished outside the top six, and his performance in the intra-team battle was his worst ever.
Even George Russell acknowledged that Hamilton needed a ‘fresh start’, having thrashed him 19-5 in the Mercedes qualifying battle. The races were closer (13-7 when both drivers finished), but few expected the seven-time world champion to become an underdog.
Neither Hamilton nor Ferrari expected to be in this position when they agreed the move. Perhaps the downturn in his performances at Brackley was directly linked to his impending departure.
| Category | George Russell | Lewis Hamilton |
| 2024 points | 245 | 223 |
| Grand Prix results | 15 | 9 |
| Grand Prix qualifying | 18 | 6 |
| Grand Prix wins | 2 | 2 |
| Grand Prix poles | 4 | 0 |
| Grand Prix podiums | 4 | 5 |
| Best finish | 1st | 1st |
| Disqualifications | 1 | 0 |
| Retirements | 1 | 2 |
| Retirements (classified finish) | 1 | 0 |
| Fastest laps | 2 | 2 |
| Grand Prix points finishes | 21 | 21 |
| Sprint results | 5 | 1 |
| Sprint Qualifying | 5 | 1 |
| Sprint wins | 0 | 0 |
| Sprint poles | 0 | 0 |
| Sprint podiums | 1 | 1 |
But 2025 is now a doubly big year. This always looked like the biggest driver transfer ever – Hamilton’s first photo at Ferrari’s base will surpass five million likes on Tuesday – but the 40-year-old is facing the first major questions over his ability since his days at McLaren.
Deliver this season, and many will dismiss 2024 as an aberration, partly induced by a notoriously unpredictable Mercedes car. Struggle against Charles Leclerc, and it will be viewed as an early stage of his decline.
Lewis Hamilton has rehired trainer Angela Cullen after shock split
According to The Daily Mail, Hamilton’s former trainer Angela Cullen is now back alongside him. In fact, she’s staying in Fiorano this week as the Englishman completes his first duties as a Ferrari driver.
The report describes Cullen as Hamilton’s ‘chief confidante and assistant’ during his time at Mercedes. She supported him during four of his title-winning seasons.
They made the ‘shock’ decision to part ways early in the 2023 season, but they’ve now reunited. This comes as Hamilton tries all he can to ‘reignite his career’.
Clearly, there’s a limit to what Cullen can do. But her return could still have a significant impact.
First, it will be beneficial for Hamilton to have his ‘most trusted aid’ next to him in unfamiliar surroundings. But more importantly, she can help address his evident confidence issues.
Pundit Justin Bell says Hamilton must stop making self-defacing comments in 2025. Most notably, he claimed he wasn’t ‘fast anymore’ amid his qualifying woes.
However, he’s described Cullen as relentlessly positive, and that could be exactly the presence he needs. If the Ferrari car is good – and the form book suggests it will be – then the coming season could be a mental battle for Hamilton after he went into a tailspin in the second half of last year.
What Lewis Hamilton has said about Angela Cullen ahead of Ferrari reunion
Perhaps Hamilton is naturally losing speed in the closing stages of his career, or maybe the current generation of cars simply doesn’t suit him. But his masterful performance at the British GP, among other recent highlights, proves he’s still capable of matching Max Verstappen and co.
In his own words, Hamilton formed his ‘greatest partnership’ with Cullen. As such, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur may welcome her comeback.
Cullen had been supporting IndyCar driver Marcus Armstrong after splitting with Hamilton. It’s still unclear what the exact scope of her role will be this time.
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