Williams appoints Sauber COO as chief operations director before F1 2026

Williams has appointed Formula 1 stalwart Axel Kruse as its chief operations director, ending his 15-year stint with the rival Sauber squad.

Kruse was the Swiss outfit’s chief operating officer, but will now start his new role on 1 September replacing Fred Brousseau, who is set to return to his native Canada.

This will not be Kruse’s first association with Williams as he was previously a BMW engineer when the German marque powered the team’s cars from 2000 to 2005 – which included finishing second in the 2002 and 2003 constructors’ standings.

“I am thrilled to be joining Williams Racing and can’t wait to get started,” said Kruse.

“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.”

Williams has endured a tough spell in recent years, finishing last in the teams’ table in 2022 for example, but the British outfit has progressed in 2025 with the squad currently fifth in the championship after 13 rounds.

“I am excited to welcome Axel to 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,” said team boss James Vowles.

“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.”

This means Brousseau will depart Williams after joining in April 2023, following a 26-year career with aerospace giant Pratt and Whitney.

“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,” said Brousseau.

“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.”

Current Williams design director Matt Harman has also now been promoted to technical director – engineering, having originally joined from Alpine last year.