As speculation swirls around Lewis Hamilton's reported romantic involvement with American reality television personality Kim Kardashian, the Formula One icon has made a significant professional move that marks a substantial shift in his racing entourage.
A Second Professional Separation
It has been confirmed that Hamilton has parted company with Marc Hynes, his closest professional lieutenant, ahead of the imminent Formula One season. This development represents the second time the pair have gone their separate ways professionally, following an initial amicable split five years ago.
Hynes' New Role with Cadillac
The 47-year-old Hynes, a former British Formula Three champion, has reportedly taken up a new position with the US-based Cadillac team, which joins the Formula One grid this season. Whether Hynes maintains any involvement in Hamilton's affairs remains uncertain, but this move signifies a notable departure from his previous extensive engagement with the driver's career.
Hynes served as chief executive of 'Project 44', Hamilton's management company, from 2015 to 2021. Last year, he played a daily role in overseeing the seven-time world champion's racing matters as an integral member of his inner circle. Following their first separation, Hynes was brought back specifically to manage Hamilton's racing logistics at Ferrari, attending virtually every race alongside the driver throughout the 2025 season.
Friendly Terms Amid Strategic Changes
According to multiple well-placed sources within the Formula One community, this second professional fracture is again believed to be on friendly terms. However, it occurs against a backdrop of strategic reassessment following Hamilton's challenging inaugural year with Ferrari, during which he failed to secure a podium finish and described his own performance as 'absolutely useless'.
Insiders suggest that Hamilton, now 41, is actively revamping his personal team as part of a broader reset initiative. This restructuring follows last month's announcement that Ferrari has moved Hamilton's race engineer, Riccardo Adami, sideways as part of the same comprehensive overhaul.
Hamilton's Enduring Support Network
Despite these professional changes, Hamilton retains a close-knit inner circle that continues to support his career. This group includes his trainer Angela Cullen, along with professionals managing his media representation and at least one security specialist, all preparing for the new season commencing in Melbourne on March 8.
Nevertheless, Hamilton's friendship with Hynes predates all these current associations. The two have known each other since their early careers in the junior ranks of motor racing, making this professional separation particularly noteworthy given their longstanding personal connection.
Optimism for the Future
Although recent testing in Spain occurred behind closed doors, various team personnel have indicated that Hamilton appeared in buoyant spirits after experiencing Ferrari's response to major regulatory changes. The 2026 season will introduce slimmed-down cars under revised sporting regulations, presenting new competitive opportunities.
When approached for comment regarding Hynes' departure, Ferrari declined to respond, while Cadillac's position remains undisclosed. As Hamilton navigates both personal headlines and professional recalibration, the Formula One community watches closely to see how these changes will impact his performance in the upcoming season.
