26/05/2026
He Beat Ayrton Senna in F1… Now He Sells PRIVATE JETS Worth $35 MILLION
THIERRY BOUTSEN once battled Formula 1 legends at 200mph — now he’s closing multimillion-dollar deals in the world of luxury private aviation.
The former F1 star, who famously beat Ayrton Senna to victory THREE times, has transformed himself from Grand Prix winner into a private jet mogul serving some of the richest people on the planet.
And honestly? His post-racing life might be even crazier than his Formula 1 career.
The 65-year-old Belgian raced for iconic teams including Williams, Benetton, Arrows, Ligier and Jordan, competing in 164 Grands Prix and standing on the podium 15 times before retiring in 1993.
But while many former drivers disappear after leaving the grid, Boutsen built an empire.
A luxury empire.
Speaking about his unbelievable second career, Boutsen revealed he first became obsessed with aircraft as a teenager after working around private jets in Brussels.
The moment he stepped aboard one of the planes, everything changed.
“That is when I promised myself,” he said, “that one day I would buy and fly my own plane.”
Years later, he did exactly that.
And then Formula 1 came calling again — just not in the way anyone expected.
In 1997, former F1 driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen asked Boutsen to help him buy a private aircraft. Then Keke Rosberg wanted one. Then Mika Häkkinen. Then Michael Schumacher approached him about selling his Challenger jet.
Suddenly, the former Grand Prix winner had become Formula 1’s unofficial luxury jet broker.
What started as favors for friends exploded into a booming business.
Together with his wife Daniela, Boutsen launched Boutsen Aviation — and the company has since sold a staggering 385 aircraft, including massive Gulfstreams, Falcons, Boeing Business Jets and Airbus Corporate Jets worth up to $35 MILLION each.
These aren’t ordinary planes.
We’re talking about flying mansions capable of crossing oceans nonstop from Europe to Los Angeles while carrying billionaires, celebrities and global elites in total luxury.
And Boutsen says business is still booming.
The ex-F1 star revealed his company currently has 16 aircraft listed exclusively for sale, with most being enormous long-range jets designed for ultra-wealthy clients.
But aviation is only ONE part of his empire.
Boutsen also runs a luxury design company specializing in private jets, superyachts and mansions, owns a high-end classic car business for elite collectors, and even operates his own racing team competing around the world.
From defeating Ayrton Senna on the track… to selling private jets to millionaires and billionaires… Thierry Boutsen may have pulled off one of the most incredible career transformations in Formula 1 history.
