A technical reorganisation is in the works for a successful Formula 1 team, as Axel Kruse us set to join Williams F1. He will take on the duty of Chief Operations Director from the beginning of September as the first act of a management change which will see other illustrious professionals join the Grove based team.
Not the first time Kruse and Williams collaborate
The German engineer has a ventennial experience at the pinnacle of motorsport, having covered the role of Chief Operating Officer at Sauber. His all-around sports experience features serving as engineer for the two times champion team BMW.
Primarily, Kruse will replace departing Fred Brousseau, who has been covering the role since 2023 after a lifetime spent in the aerospace industry and will retire to Canada by the end of the year.
At the same time, Design Director Matt Harman, who had joined Williams only in the past year, will take up the more prestigious role of Technical Director in the Engineering sector.
First words…
Team Principal James Vowles welcomed the arrival of Kruse to Williams F1 with the following statement.
“I am excited to welcome Axel to Atlassian Williams Racing as we continue to invest in the people, technology and infrastructure needed to achieve our goal of returning to the front of the grid.
“Axel is the latest top talent to join us from within the F1 paddock and will continue the important work started by Fred to make our operations truly Championship-level. I would like to thank Fred for everything he has done, and we all wish him well as he returns home to Canada.”
Future Chief Operations Director Kruse also issued his first statement as part of the Williams F1 team.
“I am thrilled to be joining Atlassian Williams Racing and can’t wait to get started. Williams is an iconic Formula 1 team with huge ambition and momentum, and I look forward to working with everyone at Grove to deliver success on track.
“As a young engineer I saw first-hand the professionalism and passion at the team as we finished second in the Constructors’ Championship – there is unfinished business, and the target must be to finish first,” he concluded.
…and last words
Lastly, Fred Brousseau saluted the Formula 1 team he has helped to progress in the past years.
“Having actively embarked on our transformation journey over the past two years, we’re now starting to see clear signs of progress. Both from a business results and track performance perspective.
“With this sustainable positive momentum now in place throughout the organisation, the time feels right for me to return home and begin the next chapter of my journey. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together and, above all, grateful for the passion and dedication of the people — they are the true heart of Williams.”
Although he is leaving the British team, he has definitely left a lasting impact on its workers and machinery.
“Being welcomed into this team and the world of Formula 1 has been a genuine privilege. I’ll continue cheering proudly from afar as Williams pushes forward on its path back to the front of the grid.”
Williams F1 will take part in the upcoming Formula 1 race in Hungary the next weekend, sitting in P5 in the standings with 70 points to the names of Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz.
