September start confirmed for Axel Kruse as Williams reshapes senior structure. Matt Harman promoted to Technical Director – Engineering.
Atlassian Williams Racing has announced the appointment of Axel Kruse as the team’s new Chief Operations Director, in a key move aimed at strengthening the team’s internal structure during its continued transformation under Team Principal James Vowles.
Kruse will officially start on 1 September 2025, replacing Fred Brousseau, who will return to Canada later this year. Brousseau joined the team in April 2023 after a long career with aerospace firm Pratt & Whitney, and has helped lead major upgrades to the team’s production systems and operational workflow.
Experienced operator returns to Grove
Kruse brings nearly two decades of Formula 1 leadership experience, having served as Chief Operating Officer at Sauber for the past 15 years. Earlier in his career, he worked as an engineer at BMW Motorsport, playing a direct role in the BMW–Williams partnership from 2000 to 2005. During that time, the team secured back-to-back second-place finishes in the Constructors’ Championship in 2002 and 2003.
“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. 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,” said Kruse.
Matt Harman steps up to Technical Director – Engineering
Alongside Kruse’s arrival, Matt Harman has been promoted from Design Director to Technical Director – Engineering. Harman joined Williams in 2024 after leaving Alpine, and brings with him a 25-year F1 career that includes key roles in the development of seven World Championship-winning cars and engines.
His promotion continues a wider technical restructure under Vowles, aimed at positioning Williams for long-term competitiveness.
Vowles: “We’re investing in top talent”
Team Principal James Vowles praised the new appointments and thanked Brousseau for helping build the operational backbone now in place at Grove.
“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.”
Fred Brousseau: “Time feels right to return home”
After just over two years in the role, Brousseau will depart later this year, having helped lay the foundations of Williams’ current transformation strategy.
“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.”
“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.”
Coffee Corner View
Axel Kruse is no stranger to Grove. He was in the room when Williams came closest to glory during the BMW years. Now, he returns with 15 years of Sauber COO experience under his belt and a clear mandate to help finish what was once started. Paired with the promotion of Matt Harman, a proven technical mind, this is another deliberate move in Williams’ long-game rebuild. Quietly, the pieces are starting to fall into place.