F1 practice LIVE: Lewis Hamilton in need of strong early showing at Saudi Arabia Grand Prix after splitting with Angela Cullen

Under scorching sunshine in Jeddah, first practice is underway at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix!

And a rare mistake from Red Bull straight away, as Sergio Perez gets his bearings wrong coming out of the garage… he needs to be pushed back by his team to progress down the pit lane!

One hour of running in this opening session…

Lewis Hamilton has announced that his time working with performance coach Angela Cullen has come to an end.

The seven-time world champion has worked with physiotherapist Cullen for the last seven years, with the New Zealander by the Mercedes star’s side around the world as an integral part of his support team.

Cullen, 48, joined Hamilton’s team in 2016 and has been by his side for four of his seven world championships.

Yet suspicions were raised on Friday morning as Hamilton did not arrive in the paddock in Saudi Arabia with Cullen by his side, before the 38-year-old himself confirmed the news on Instagram.

In an emotional post, he said: “For the last seven years Angela Cullen has been by my side, pushing me to be the best version of myself. I am a stronger athlete and a better person because of her.

“So today I hope you’ll join me in wishing her the very best as she takes her next steps to pursue her dreams. Thank you for everything Ang, I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for you.”

• Free Practice 1: 1:30pm
• Free Practice 2: 5pm

• Free Practice 3: 1:30pm
• Qualifying: 5pm

Mercedes, so dominant in Formula 1 from 2014-2021 with eight Constructors’ Championships, had a season to forget in 2022 as new regulations caught them out and they finished third in the standings.

And Hamilton – who last won an F1 race at the Jeddah track in December 2021, 24 grand prix ago – admitted it was a “shock” when he first drove the W14 car last month, acknowledging that three teams are currently ahead of them.

“Once I drove the car for the first time, you start to do that [re-assess goals] with the challenges you’re facing,” the 38-year-old said.

“It’s a similar situation to last year – it’s a shock when the car isn’t where you want it to be but you have 100% faith in the people you work with. We’re not where we want to be and we need to keep working on it.

“We need the Red Bulls and Ferraris not to finish the race, maybe the Astons too, to be winning [ourselves]. It doesn’t mean we can’t catch them up…”

Horner, the boss at Red Bull, is the sport’s longest serving team principal having been in charge of the current world champions since 2005.

The 49-year-old executive is overseeing Red Bull’s current domination of the sport, having won both world championships at a canter last year and claiming a one-two finish at the 2023 season-opener on Sunday with Max Verstappen, the double world champion, triumphant in Bahrain.

But Ecclestone – who caused controversy last year after stating he would “take a bullet” for Russian president Vladimir Putin – insists Horner should aim for the sport’s top job next.

“If you had to pick anyone today, I’d say he [Horner] would be as good as there is,” 92-year-old Ecclestone said.

Lewis Hamilton has announced that his time working with performance coach Angela Cullen has come to an end.

The seven-time world champion has worked with physiotherapist Cullen for the last seven years, with the New Zealander by the Mercedes star’s side around the world as an integral part of his support team.

Cullen, 48, joined Hamilton’s team in 2016 and has been by his side for four of his seven world championships.

Yet suspicions were raised on Friday morning as Hamilton did not arrive in the paddock in Saudi Arabia with Cullen by his side, before the 38-year-old himself confirmed the news on Instagram.

In an emotional post, he said: “For the last seven years Angela Cullen has been by my side, pushing me to be the best version of myself. I am a stronger athlete and a better person because of her.

“So today I hope you’ll join me in wishing her the very best as she takes her next steps to pursue her dreams. Thank you for everything Ang, I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for you.”

Cullen herself posted a heartwarming slideshow on her social media, alongside a caption: “Exactly 7 years ago on this day I was standing in the F1 paddock for the first time at the Australian GP. Today I’m excited to share I’m off on my next adventure.

“I am so grateful and blessed to have had this incredible journey in F1 and I know my story will continue. Thanks to the MB team, who have been my family for the past 7 years.

“And Lewis Hamilton you GOAT!! It’s been such an honour and pleasure to stand along side you I’m so proud of you and everything you have achieved. Thank you for supporting me, believing in me and showing me the limitless potential we all have within us.

“I am so excited to watch the next chapter for you. There’s nothing you can’t do. Don’t stop believing. Lives journey is one big wave. Keep riding. Dream big. As dreams do come true. Forever by your side. STILL WE RISE.”

Lewis Hamilton has announced that his time working with performance coach Angela Cullen has come to an end.

The seven-time world champion has worked with Cullen for the last seven years and has been by the Mercedes star’s side in the paddock as an integral part of his team.

Hamilton said on Friday, prior to the start of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend: “For the last seven years Angela Cullen has been by my side, pushing me to be the best version of myself. I am a stronger athlete and a better person because of her.

“So today I hope you’ll join me in wishing her the very best as she takes her next steps to pursue her dreams.

“Thank you for everything Ang, I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for you.”

The Haas Formula 1 team has dismissed a report claiming its parent company broke sanctions by providing machinery to Russia as “simply false.”

Haas F1 responded in a statement on Thursday to a report by American broadcaster PBS on Tuesday alleging that the Haas Automation company had provided machines and parts to Russia.

This would have been in violation of US export control and sanctions regulations after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year.

“That story is simply false, both in its overall impression and in many of its particular statements,” the Haas F1 team said in a statement.

“The 18 machines referenced in the story left the Haas Automation factory prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.”