2016 Formula 1 World Champion Nico Rosberg believes that Lewis Hamilton’s decision to split with trainer Angela Cullen is not a positive move.
Over the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend, Hamilton confirmed that he would part ways with Cullen after the Jeddah event.
Cullen has been by Hamilton’s side for several years, assisting him trackside at race weekends.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff declared in Saudi Arabia that it was Hamilton who took the decision to end their partnership together.
However, the seven-time World Champion says that he is still on good terms with Cullen.
“Angela and I are good,” he said. “She’s in a different phase of her life, we’re still super close.
“I keep texting every day, massively supportive and I’m massively supportive of her, so grateful to have had her with me on this journey.
“She’s one of my closest friends and continues to be.”
Hamilton has endured a difficult start to the 2023 campaign, following on from the tough season he endured last year.
Mercedes’ challenger is lacking pace to consistently compete at the front, a scenario that has been unfamiliar for Hamilton throughout the turbo-hybrid era.
Rosberg, who partnered Hamilton at Mercedes for four years before opting to retire from the sport, believes that Hamilton’s woes will only deepen following Cullen’s departure.
“I think that probably makes things even worse because even though the split apparently was amicable, you know, Angela was a real friend I think also to him,” Rosberg told Sky Sports F1.
“And it’s with your trainer that [you spend] most of the time during a race weekend.
“You end up also going to dinner in a very small, tight group with maybe a family member and a trainer and that’s it – and for Lewis not to have her as well, I’m sure it’s going to be not ideal, not so nice.
“I think probably that’s another challenge and difficulty that he has to deal with and get used to.”
