Lewis Hamilton opened up about his split with personal assistant Angela Cullen after the British driver had another miserable qualifying session in Jeddah.
Hamilton announced on Friday that his partnership with Cullen was coming to an end after seven years. Cullen has been the British star's closest ally in the paddock and helped him towards four of his seven world titles. She confirmed their split in a statement telling Hamilton "there's nothing you can't do" in an emotional goodbye.
Despite leaving his side Hamilton revealed after Saturday's qualifying session in Jeddah that he still sends text messages to his former aid "every day".
"Angela and I are good. She's in a different phase of her life, we're still super close," said Hamilton in Jeddah.
"We 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 had a disappointing season in 2022 by his high standards finishing sixth in the driver's championship as Red Bull rival Max Verstappen stormed to his second world title. Mercedes had hoped to rectify the problems they experienced with last season's W13 model, but Hamilton's future with the constructor has been questioned after a disappointing start.
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Hamilton remained off the pace in Jeddah with the seven-time world champion qualifying eighth for Sunday's Saudi Arabia Grand Prix. The British star was highly critical of last year's W13 car and has offered a bleak outlook on this season's model.
"I just don't feel the car underneath me," Hamilton told Sky Sports. "I just don't feel connected to this car and I can't get it. I don't really know what I'm going to do about that.
"It's miserable. It's tough. I'm giving it absolutely everything. I'm here as late as I can be every day and preparing as best as I can with the car, and I still just can't connect with it. I don't really know what to say."
Cullen could be the person Hamilton needs by his side most during the difficulties facing Mercedes this season. Hamilton's previous comments showed the true nature of their friendship.
"She's focused, selfless, and she makes my weekends peaceful," he previously said. "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."
