Kim Keedle had just left the stage at a business conference in Melbourne when he got the call. Mercedesโ Formula 1 team needed him.
The high-performance coach and physiotherapist had been part of Oscar Piastriโs team for years, helping the Australian move into the highest level of motor sport, before retiring from the paddock at the end of 2024 to set up back home in Melbourne.
Australian Kim Keedle with 2026 Melbourne Grand Prix winner George Russell of Mercedes.
But when Mercedes put out an SOS call with George Russellโs trainer stuck in Qatar due to the war in the Middle East, it was difficult to resist.
โGeorgeโs manager reached out to me just saying, โHey, are you in Melbourne? Georgeโs trainer has been caught in Qatar, and more than likely isnโt going to be able to get to the race, so if you could be on standby for us, that would be greatโ,โ Keedle said.
Before saying yes, Keedle wanted to make sure Piastri didnโt have any issues with him helping a rival.
โHe [Piastri] came back and said no, thatโs fine, go ahead,โ Keedle said. โItโs a pretty small industry, right, so sometimes if youโve got someone thatโs trapped in the Middle East, everyoneโs willing to help out.
โI was lucky that I knew George from around the circuit; you get to know the drivers as you go. So, we already had a bit of a relationship, so it was quite nice just to be able to come in and slot into his inner sanctum, or his small team, come Thursday.โ
As Russellโs interim coach, Keedle was responsible for helping with his physical warm-up, mental preparation and making sure he went through the motions before practice, qualifying, and the race.
