Williams Racing continues to advance its ambitious expansion program and its determined push to return to the front of the Formula 1 grid. In the early afternoon today, the historic British team officially announced the signing of Axel Kruse as its new Chief Operations Director.
This appointment is far from ordinary, as Axel Kruse brings over two decades of extensive experience within the Formula 1 paddock, including more than 15 years spent in the same leadership role at the Sauber Formula 1 team.
Before becoming Chief Operations Director at the Swiss-based Sauber team, Kruse served as an engineer at BMW. During this period, he worked closely with Williams Racing during the technical partnership between the Grove-based team and the Bavarian automotive manufacturer. One of the highlights of this collaboration was achieving second place twice in the Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship, marking one of the best results in Williams Racing’s recent history.
The German executive, arriving from Sauber, will take over the position from Fred Brousseau, who will return to Canada at the end of this 2025 Formula 1 season. Brousseau’s tenure at Williams lasted two years, having joined the Grove outfit in 2023 following a remarkable 23-year career at Pratt & Whitney, a leading aerospace giant.
Axel Kruse is scheduled to begin his new role on September 1, and he will work closely alongside Fred Brousseau during the transition period before Brousseau departs the team at the end of the year.
However, this is not the only change occurring within Williams Racing’s technical and operational leadership. Matt Harman, who joined the team just a few months ago, has been promoted to Technical Director of Engineering. Harman, as mentioned, arrived at Williams last year after resigning from his previous position at Alpine F1 Team.
James Vowles, Team Principal of Williams Racing, commented on these appointments: “I am thrilled to welcome Axel to Atlassian Williams Racing as we continue to invest in people, technology, and infrastructure necessary to achieve our goal of returning to the top of the Formula 1 standings. Axel is the latest top talent to join us from within the F1 paddock and will continue the crucial work started by Fred to elevate our operations to a true championship-winning level. I would like to thank Fred for everything he has contributed and wish him all the best for his return to Canada.”
Axel Kruse added: “I am excited to join Atlassian Williams Racing and eager to get started. Williams is an iconic Formula 1 team with great ambition and momentum, and I look forward to working with everyone at Grove to achieve success on the track. As a young engineer, I witnessed firsthand the professionalism and passion of this team when we finished second in the Constructors’ Championship. There is still work to be done, and the goal must be to finish first.”
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