The President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, left his seat and became a photo journalist in Formula 1.

27.07.2026 13:50

Petr Pavel, the President of the Czech Republic known for his interest in motor sports and photography, served as a photojournalist at the Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix.

At the Hungarian Grand Prix of the Formula 1 World Championship, an unusual event occurred in the paddock area alongside the on-track competition. Czech President Petr Pavel followed the race weekend not as a protocol member, but as an official photojournalist with FIA accreditation.

CZECH PRESIDENT BECOMES PHOTOJOURNALIST

In line with his long-standing hobby of photography, the 64-year-old Czech leader arrived at the Hungaroring with fully equipped gear and took his place behind the lens. Pavel was accompanied on the track by famous Czech Formula 1 photographer Jiri Krenek.

HUNGARIAN PRIME MINISTER COULDN'T HIDE HIS SURPRISE

Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar, who encountered Petr Pavel on the track, shared his surprise on his social media account. Magyar, who published a photo taken with Pavel, stated in his note: "Do you know who this photographer I met at the Hungaroring track today is? This is Czech Republic President Petr Pavel; he is on a special visit as a hobby photographer."

NOT HIS FIRST EXPERIENCE

This is not the first experience for Czech President Pavel, who is also a former Chairman of the NATO Military Committee. Pavel had previously followed the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours race last June in his photographer identity. Pavel had also captured with his lens the MotoGP and World Superbike races in Brno, as well as the NASCAR event in the USA and the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia.