Thierry Boutsen
Thierry Boutsen Marc ( born July 13, 1957 in Brussels ) is a former Belgian racing driver and Formula 1 driver.
Career
Boutsens racing career began in 1975 as a student of Teddy Pilette driving school. His initially still driven engineering studies, he soon abandoned in favor of his racing career. In 1979, he went 3 In 1980 he moved to Martini, won three times and finished second in the Formula 3 Championship behind Michele Alboreto in the European and German formula. In 1981 he moved to the Formula 2 and was second in the overall standings; In 1982 he drove for the Spirit - Honda team alongside Stefan Johansson and was with three wins third in the World Championship.
He also tested the new Spirit - Honda Formula 1, but since it Johansson was brought forward as a race driver, he celebrated his Formula 1 debut at the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa in 1983 Arrows. From 1983 to 1993 he drove in Formula 1, and participated in a total of 163 races, of which he won three, scored once each pole position and the fastest lap and a total of 132 championship points. Arrows he remained faithful until 1987, with a second place in San Marino in 1985 as the highlight.
His career began but only really 1987/1988 at Benetton. Boutsen was a steady point scorer in 1988, he finished with five third places fourth in the World Cup. 1989 Frank Williams hired him, whose team was equipped this year with Renault engines. This combination proved to be very competitive and Thierry Boutsen won the two battles rain in Canada and Australia and was fifth overall. In 1990, he drove his probably best race, which he won despite the murderous pressure of Ayrton Senna and a number of other drivers at the Hungarian Grand Prix. However, in late 1990 he had to leave Williams as Nigel Mansell was brought back into the team and on the other hand Riccardo Patrese remained on the team.
Boutsen signed a two -year contract with Ligier. But that should prove to be a bad move, because he had to toil in a row with below-average material, never got beyond the midfield and the only yield in two years were only two championship points. In 1993, he played ten Grand Prix for Jordan, but he never came in full swing and the Grand Prix of Belgium joined the circle when he joined Formula 1 back after ten years.
His calm and restrained manner, outside the cockpit was a reflection of his performance as a racer. However, not necessarily a driver for the fastest lap, he convinced the race always with calmness, serenity and precision.
In addition to his Formula 1 career, he also denied numerous races for Sportscar Championship and at Le Mans, preferably on Porsche and Toyota.
Boutsens racing career ended in 1999, when he possibly sustain severe back injury in an accident in the 24 - hour race at Le Mans.
Boutsen now lives as a dealer of small aircraft in Monaco. In addition, he has since his retirement as an active racing his own race team Boutsen Energy Racing, with which he participates as a team leader on various national racing series.