Williams has appointed former Sauber COO Axel Kruse as its new Chief Operations Director, in a fresh move that underlines its intent to become Formula 1 giants again.
The 54-year-old will take on the role on September 1, replacing the Grove-based squad‘s current COO, Fred Brousseau, who is relocating back to Canada after a two-year stint.
Kruse, who spent 15 years with Sauber, had previously been an engineer with BMW, working for the German marque during its period as engine suppliers to Williams.
In a statement released by Williams, Kruse spoke of his excitement of joining the team, saying the previous link via BMW, with which Williams twice finished runners-up in the Constructors’ Championship, was “unfinished business.”
“I am thrilled to be joining Atlassian Williams Racing and can’t wait to get started,” he said. “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.”
Team Principal James Vowles added: “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.”
With his departure from the team now just one month away, Brousseau said: “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.
“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.”
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