Former F1 team owner Jean-Pierre Van Rossem, whose Onyx outfit raced in the late 1980s, has formally asked to be euthanised at a time of his choosing in his home country, Belgium.

Van Rossem, a flamboyant character with the appearance of a 1960s hippie who held a degree in economics, had allegedly devised a computer-based system called Moneytron which could endlessly predict winning trades in the stock market.

Unfortunately, it all turned out to be nothing but a huge ponzie scheme. But before the operation was shut down, Van Rossem lavishly spent millions, acquiring Onyx and running the team in the 1989 world championship with Stefan Johansson and Bertrand Gachot.

Van Rossem later dabbled in Belgian politics but was equally unsuccessful and quickly discredited.

In a recent interview published on Youtube,  the former millionaire and con-man said the time had come to put an end to his life.

"I've had a very tumultuous life, but now it's enough," explained Van Rossem.

"I am declining and I want to decide on my own when I will stop living. I hope to be able to say before the end of the year: 'Now is enough'."

"I've had beautiful women and owned beautiful women cars. At one point, I was worth $891 million, and I lost everything by betting against my own system. I will confer with my two sons about my decisions, and I hope they will understand."

GALLERY: F1 drivers' wives and girlfriends

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Perez reveals how he became Force India's unlikely saviour

Sergio Perez has revisited one of the most extraordinary off-track stories of his Formula 1…

9 hours ago

FIA expands straight-line mode at Spa – as Alonso sounds warning

Formula 1’s return to Spa-Francorchamps this weekend will introduce a striking new element to the…

11 hours ago

McLaren set for Mercedes engine upgrade at Spa and rear-wing trial

McLaren will arrive at the Belgian Grand Prix with a fresh opportunity to reset its…

12 hours ago

Michael bows to Mika on British GP podium

On this day in 2001 at the British GP at Silverstone, Formula 1 fans were…

14 hours ago

Bearman moved to tears after driving Senna’s iconic Lotus

The Silverstone pitlane has borne witness to countless moments of motorsport history, but recently, it…

15 hours ago

Steiner: Time for McLaren to ‘grow up’ and build its own engine

McLaren’s search for answers in Formula 1 has once again turned the spotlight onto its…

16 hours ago