Russell taps Piastri's former trainer for Australian GP amid travel issues

George Russell will have a familiar face from the F1 paddock in his corner for the Australian Grand Prix, temporarily working with Oscar Piastri's former performance manager and physiotherapist, Kim Keedle. The move was necessitated after Russell's regular trainer encountered travel disruptions to Melbourne, while it also highlights ongoing personnel shifts within Piastri's own support team.

Why it matters:

A driver's performance team is a critical, behind-the-scenes component of their race weekend preparation and recovery. A last-minute change, even if temporary, can disrupt routines. Furthermore, the situation underscores how global events, like the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, can have tangible logistical impacts on F1 operations, affecting even the best-funded teams.

The details:

• Kim Keedle, who previously worked with Romain Grosjean and was integral to Oscar Piastri's 2021 F2 championship season and early McLaren career, is assisting Russell at Albert Park.
• Keedle was already in Melbourne to support Piastri before being called into service for the Mercedes driver.
• The arrangement is a temporary solution after Russell's usual performance coach faced difficulties traveling to Australia.
• This news follows other changes in Piastri's camp; his long-time manager, Mark Webber, is set to attend fewer races in 2026 to focus on commercial matters.
• Pedro Matos, Piastri's F2 race engineer, has joined his inner circle and is expected to attend most Grands Prix this season.

What's next:

Russell's collaboration with Keedle is expected to be a one-off for the Australian Grand Prix weekend. The focus will now be on how both drivers perform under these adjusted team dynamics. For Piastri, coming off a strong 2025 season with seven wins, the integration of Pedro Matos into his trackside team will be a key subplot to watch as the 2026 season develops.