Petr Pavel Formula 1 photos went viral after the Czech President skipped the VIP area and spent the Hungarian Grand Prix shooting the race from the trackside like a professional photographer.
BUDAPEST: Most world leaders watch Formula 1 races from luxury hospitality suites. But Czech President Petr Pavel had something else in mind.
The 64-year-old surprised fans at the Hungarian Grand Prix after he was seen standing with professional photographers near the track, wearing a high-visibility media vest and carrying a camera instead of sitting in the VIP section.
Also read: Why customised sneakers are becoming Dubai’s newest fashion statement
The Petr Pavel Formula 1 photos quickly went viral on social media, with many wondering how a sitting president managed to get media access to one of the world’s biggest motorsport events.
The answer is simple. Photography has been one of Pavel’s hobbies for years.
Before becoming President in 2023, Pavel spent decades in the military. He rose to the rank of four-star Army General and later became Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, making history as the first person from a former Warsaw Pact country to lead the alliance’s military body.
Away from politics, he has a passion for motorsport and photography.
Also read: This Indian startup is paying maids to film inside your home for AI
Getting trackside access at a Formula 1 race is not easy. The FIA only gives media passes to people with proven experience in motorsport photography. Pavel qualified because he has spent years photographing major racing events, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Dakar Rally.
His interest is more than just a hobby. Pavel has also used his motorsport photos to raise money for charity. His Dakar Rally images were displayed at Prague’s National Technical Museum, and he later sold signed prints through a photo book, raising nearly €50,000 for charities supporting single parents, vulnerable children and elderly people.
Also read: Could millions of satellites ruin the night sky?
He is also a passionate motorcycle rider, covering up to 12,000 kilometres every year. In another unusual moment for a head of state, Pavel even became the first sitting president to drive a full-spec NASCAR race car at Autodrom Most.
At the Hungarian Grand Prix, Pavel spent the weekend standing beside other photographers with very little security around him. There were no special privileges or VIP treatment, just a president enjoying one of his favourite hobbies.
The Petr Pavel Formula 1 story has won praise online, with many people admiring how the Czech leader continues to make time for the things he loves, despite holding one of the country’s highest offices.
Babar Siddiqui is the Features Editor at TheBrewNews.com, where he covers stories spanning the environment, culture, and technology. A naturally curious storyteller with an adventurous spirit, he is passionate about exploring ideas that shape the world around us. Beyond the newsroom, Babar finds inspiration in nature, embracing its quiet moments as a source of reflection and creativity.
Connect with him to follow his latest work and insights.
