The Grid Has Been Put On Notice - Formula 1 2025

Woohoo! Guess who's back! Well, me, and better yet Angela Cullen! One of Lewis Hamilton's closest friends, trainer extraordinaire and in my book the lynch pin to his most recent and previous success at Mercedes, is once again back in the fold.

Rumors started swirling over the weekend of Angela's return, and today they were confirmed. Cullen has signed on as part of 'Project 44' which is Hamilton's team moving forward with Ferrari as the team physio. It was inexplicable when she left Hamilton's side at Mercedes oh so many years ago as they did have so much success together, and now she is back. If the rest of the field doesn't see this tidbit of news as a warning shot on Hamilton's focus and commitment to charge to the front of the pack again, I don't know what is.

As any Formula 1 fan can attest to, racing at this level is a mental game even more so than a physical game. I think the moment Angela left Hamilton's side (albeit mutually) he lost his edge. Yes, the Mercedes car was shit for the first few years of this current (and now last) set of vehicle regulations, but it certainly didn't help to no longer have her support and presence weekend after weekend.

Moving forward into a new year with Ferrari, getting used to a new working environment, new co-workers, and not being able to bring along the familiar sound of Bono's voice in his ear, this was absolutely the best supportive move he could have made. She will bring peace to him as he navigates along with his new team. I'd bet money his season last year would have seen better results if she was still in the garage. It was a frustrating, chaotic season for Hamilton. For someone who always seems so positive, negativity reared it's ugly head at times over frustrating weekends of mediocrity. It's natural, it's human. But what do you do when negative thoughts reign in? You put together a way to wring them right back out, and Angela being back is just the soothing piece Hamilton needs to reset and charge his batteries for the upcoming fight to the front.

It's an exciting venture for him, you can see it in his eyes in the newly released photos of him arriving at Ferrari, doing his tour of the facility. Behind those happy expressions, the smiles of excitement, still lies the steely eyed glint of a 7 time World Champion ready to put the foot to the floor, and bring home an 8th. So let that be a warning that 2025 may once again be hammer time!