Thierry Boutsen
1957-07-13
The Biography
Thierry Boutsen, born on July 13, 1957, in Brussels, Belgium, is a former professional racing driver known for his tenure in Formula 1 during the 1980s and early 1990s. He began his motorsport career in karting and progressed through the ranks of Formula Ford, Formula 3, and Formula 2, showcasing his driving prowess. Boutsen made his Formula 1 debut in 1983 with the Arrows team and later raced for Benetton, Williams, Ligier, and Jordan. Throughout his F1 career, he participated in 164 Grands Prix, achieving three victories, 15 podium finishes, and one pole position. Notably, he secured wins at the 1989 Canadian and Australian Grands Prix and the 1990 Hungarian Grand Prix. After retiring from racing, Boutsen transitioned into the aviation industry, founding Boutsen Aviation in 1997, a company specializing in the sale and acquisition of business jets. Based in Monaco, the company has handled over 220 aircraft transactions, reflecting Boutsen's successful shift from motorsports to business aviation. Additionally, he has maintained a connection to motorsports through involvement in racing teams and classic car ventures.