Hamilton praises "very special human being" he cannot do without in F1

Lewis Hamilton has hailed 'right-hand woman' Angela Cullen as "a very special human being" he cannot now afford to be without in F1.

New Zealand-born Cullen has worked with Hamilton since 2016 as a physiotherapist, although her role is multi-dimensional as she also works as a personal assistant who organises routine, logistics, travel and diet for the seven-time champion.

Cullen has also become a close personal friend and confidante for Hamilton who has previously described her as "one of the greatest things that's happened to me in my life".

In a season when Hamilton has come under intense pressure from the challenge posed by Red Bull's Max Verstappen, Cullen has again been pivotal in keeping the 36-year-old positive.

"So Angela and I are naturally incredibly close, we pretty much live together," said Hamilton.

"We are also the closest of friends so I am very, very lucky to have found Angela because she is a very special human being."

Explaining how he and Cullen formed their bond, Hamilton added: "I didn't have a trainer until I got to Formula 1.

"At the time, they were all called physios but a couple of trainers I had were not physios. They were called physios for the race weekend.

"It was usually a guy that I had been working with, would be on the road with me and training me.

"Then I started to notice I was having issues. Every now and then an injury would pop up or I would have a neck issue or whatever it may be and I never had anybody that could fix that.

"It wouldn't be until I got back afterwards and I could see Angela [who had worked with Hamilton on occasion], so I was like 'Why don't you come on the road with me because I am not training on the race weekends. I actually need a physio who knows my body and knows what it needs to be the best-prepared possible for a race weekend, and then when I am away I can train with whoever'.

"Along that route, we have grown together in terms of how we manage our weekends, how we prepare, taking the least-stressed route and just making sure I can be as fresh as I can be when I get in the car."

Hamilton confirmed Cullen is with him from early morning through to late at night, describing her role and relationship with her as "very important".

"I don't think this year has brought us closer than any other year because we are incredibly close as it is," assessed Hamilton.

"But we love our job, we love doing what we do and we love doing it together. I am incredibly grateful to have her on the road with me. I don't think I could do it without her."

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