In a world where speed reigns supreme and the roar of engines drowns out all else, one story has captured the hearts of Formula 1 fans like no other. Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, and Angela Cullen, his trusted physiotherapist and confidante, have announced a memoir that promises to peel back the curtain on their extraordinary decade-long journey. Titled Side by Side: The Hamilton-Cullen Story, this heartfelt book is already being hailed as a love letter to loyalty, resilience, and an unbreakable bond that transcended the racetrack. Fans are buzzing with excitement, and for good reason—this is no ordinary motorsport tale. It’s a story of two souls, destined to meet, who changed each other’s lives forever.
The Letter That Started It All
The story begins with a single handwritten letter, a moment so pivotal it could rival any of Hamilton’s daring overtakes. Back in 2016, Angela Cullen was a respected physiotherapist working with the British Olympic team, her life rooted in the world of elite athletics. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton, already a superstar at Mercedes, was searching for someone who could be more than just a trainer—someone who could understand his drive, his dreams, and the relentless pressure of chasing greatness. That’s when he penned a letter to Cullen, a heartfelt plea that would change the course of both their lives.
In the memoir, Hamilton reveals that the letter was written in a moment of vulnerability. “I was at a crossroads,” he writes. “I needed someone who could see me, not just the driver, but the person. I didn’t know Angela, but something told me she was the one.” The letter, which Cullen still keeps in a locked box, was raw, honest, and brimming with passion. It outlined Hamilton’s vision, not just for championships, but for a partnership that would push them both to new heights. “It wasn’t a job offer,” Cullen recalls. “It was a call to adventure. I read it, and I knew I couldn’t say no.”
That letter convinced Cullen to leave the security of her Olympic role and step into the high-octane world of Formula 1. From that moment, the duo became inseparable, with Cullen becoming Hamilton’s right hand, his physio, his motivator, and, most importantly, his friend. Their partnership would go on to define an era at Mercedes and even survive Hamilton’s blockbuster move to Ferrari in 2025.
A Bond Forged in Triumph and Turbulence
The memoir doesn’t shy away from the highs and lows of their journey. Hamilton and Cullen’s partnership wasn’t always smooth sailing. The book details moments of frustration, particularly during the challenging 2021 season when Hamilton battled Max Verstappen for the championship. “There were days when the pressure was unbearable,” Hamilton writes. “I’d snap, she’d push back, and we’d have to find our way through it.” Cullen, ever the steady hand, describes those moments as “growing pains.” “We were learning each other’s edges,” she says. “But even when we clashed, there was trust. Always trust.”
Their emotional turbulence is laid bare in a chapter titled “The Distance,” which recounts a period in 2022 when rumors swirled that Cullen might leave Hamilton’s side. The demands of Formula 1’s grueling schedule and the emotional toll of constant scrutiny strained their relationship. “I thought I was losing her,” Hamilton admits. “Not just as a physio, but as family.” Cullen, however, never wavered. “Leaving was never an option,” she writes. “Lewis is my brother in arms. We fight together, we fall together, we rise together.”
And rise they did. The memoir chronicles their triumphs—six of Hamilton’s seven championships came with Cullen by his side. From the nail-biting victories in Monaco to the dominant displays at Silverstone, Cullen was there, ensuring Hamilton was physically and mentally primed for every challenge. Hamilton is adamant that his titles belong to her as much as they do to him. “Every trophy, every podium—she’s in them,” he writes. “I wouldn’t be the driver I am without her.”
The Ferrari Chapter: A New Beginning
When Hamilton shocked the world by announcing his move to Ferrari in 2025, fans wondered if Cullen would follow. The memoir reveals that the decision wasn’t easy. “Ferrari was a dream, but it meant change,” Hamilton writes. “I needed Angela to believe in it as much as I did.” Cullen, initially hesitant about leaving the Mercedes family, describes a late-night conversation in Monaco that sealed the deal. “Lewis looked at me and said, ‘We’re not done yet.’ That was it. I was in.”
Their transition to Ferrari is a highlight of the book, painting a vivid picture of their first days in Maranello. Cullen’s ability to adapt to a new team, new culture, and new expectations while keeping Hamilton grounded is nothing short of remarkable. “She’s my constant,” Hamilton writes. “The track changes, the cars change, but Angela is my north star.” Fans will swoon over stories of their off-track adventures in Italy—late-night gelato runs, impromptu road trips through Tuscany, and quiet moments where they simply sat and reflected on how far they’d come.
A Memoir Like No Other
What sets Side by Side apart is its authenticity. The memoir is written in alternating voices, with Hamilton and Cullen each penning their own chapters. Astonishingly, neither edited a single word of the other’s contributions. “We didn’t need to,” Cullen writes. “What you read is us—raw, real, and unfiltered.” This unedited honesty gives the book a rare intimacy, as if readers are eavesdropping on a conversation between two best friends.
The memoir is filled with never-before-seen anecdotes that will delight fans. There’s the story of Cullen sneaking a motivational note into Hamilton’s helmet before the 2019 German Grand Prix, a race he won despite being ill. There’s the time Hamilton taught Cullen to DJ during a rare weekend off, only for her to “accidentally” remix one of his favorite tracks into a techno disaster. And then there’s the emotional account of their post-race ritual: a quiet moment in the garage where they’d share a look, no words needed, knowing they’d given everything.
A Love Story Beyond the Track
At its core, Side by Side is a love story—not romantic, but something deeper. It’s the story of two people who found each other in the chaos of Formula 1 and built a bond that nothing could break. “Angela isn’t just my physio,” Hamilton writes. “She’s my mirror, my strength, my home.” Cullen echoes this sentiment: “Lewis gave me a purpose bigger than I ever imagined. Together, we made history.”
Fans have taken to social media to express their excitement, with hashtags like #HamiltonCullenMemoir and #SideBySide trending worldwide. “This is the story we’ve been waiting for,” one fan tweeted. “Lewis and Angela are the heart of F1.” Another wrote, “I’m not crying, you’re crying! Their bond is everything.”
The Legacy of a Legendary Duo
As Hamilton continues to chase an eighth world title with Ferrari, and Cullen remains his unwavering support, Side by Side is more than a memoir—it’s a testament to what’s possible when two people believe in each other. The book is set to hit shelves in early 2026, and pre-orders are already skyrocketing. Publishers promise exclusive editions with bonus content, including photos from their personal archives and a replica of that fateful handwritten letter.
For now, fans can only imagine the emotions they’ll feel when they turn the pages of this extraordinary story. From the racetracks of the world to the quiet moments of reflection, Lewis Hamilton and Angela Cullen have given us a glimpse into a partnership that’s as inspiring as it is unforgettable. In a sport defined by speed, their story reminds us that the greatest victories are won not just on the track, but in the hearts of those who stand side by side.