Boutsen, first seasons

A young Thierry Boutsen in his #35 Marantz Hi-Fi-sponsored Crosslé 30F, winner of the FF 1600 Zandvoort Trophy 1978. The discreet Belgian went on to reach the pinacle of the sport and win three Formula One Grand Prix for Williams-Renault in 1989-1990.

After winning the “Volant V” in 1977 at the André Pilette Racing School, Zolder, Boutsen entered the Belgian Formula Ford 1600 championship and won it in 1978 with 15 victories in 18 races. He also entered the 1978 Spa 24 Hours race, the last auto race on the old 14 km (8.7 mi) Spa-Francorchamps circuit- driving a… Toyota Trueno.

For 1979 he moved to Formula 3, winning three races in 1980 (picture-below) and second place in the European title race, behind Michele Alboreto. In 1981 he moved to Formula 2 and was again second in the European Championship, including winning at the 14-mile Nürburgring.