Williams has announced that former Sauber Chief Operating Officer Axel Kruze will be adding to the leadership team in the role of Chief Operations Director.
Kruse has been in Sauber for the past 15 years and previously worked as an engineer at BMW. His appointment will be replaced by current Williams COO Fred Brusau. He will return to his hometown of Canada later this year, the team says.
“We look forward to welcoming Axel to Atlassian Williams races 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 Formula One paddock and will continue the important work that Fred has started to make our operations truly a championship level, and we want to thank him for everything he has done.
Cruze explained that the move towards Williams was partly motivated by a close past mistake, as he worked with the team when he finished twice as runner-up in the Constructors Championship under BMW Power.
“I’m pleased to be part of Atlassian Williams Racing and I can’t wait to get started,” Kruze said. “Williams is an iconic Formula 1 team with great ambition and momentum. I look forward to working with everyone at Globe and working on success. As a young engineer, I saw firsthand the professionalism and passion on the team that finished second in the Constructors Championship.
The Blue Saw departure came more than two years later for Williams to improve his infrastructure, with Canadians taking part in early 2023 from Pratt & Whitney.
“We have been actively embarking on a change journey over the past two years, and we are beginning to see clear signs of progress as we track it in terms of business outcomes and performance,” Brousseau said. “With this sustainable positive momentum set in place throughout the organization, it is time for me to go home and start the next chapter of my journey.
“We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved together, and above all, we appreciate the passion and dedication of people. They are the true hearts of Williams. Welcome to this team, and the Formula 1 world was a real privilege.
In addition to the addition of Cruze, Williams has announced the new role of former Alpine technical director Matt Herman, who will be promoted from design director to technical director of engineering.