Czech President Petr Pavel Captures Action as Photographer at Hungarian Grand Prix

Czech Republic President Petr Pavel has arrived at the Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix, though his visit is strictly personal rather than official.
For President Pavel, his passion for motorsport extends beyond politics into the realm of sports photography. This weekend, he attended the Hungaroring for Saturday’s sessions equipped with a professional photography kit and official FIA accreditation, working alongside Czech F1 photographer Jiri Krenek.

This is not the first time the President has attended a major motorsport event as a hobbyist photographer. In June, he traveled to France to photograph the Le Mans 24 Hours, also equipped with full camera gear.

The former NATO Military Committee Chairman has a long history of attending various racing events. Within the Czech Republic, he has covered MotoGP and World Superbike events at Brno, while his international coverage includes NASCAR in the United States and the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia.

Petr Pavel, President of Czech Republic and Photographer at trackside

Photo by: Michael Potts / LAT Images via Getty Images

His work from the 2025 Dakar Rally, an event where he also expressed support for Czech competitors, was previously exhibited at the National Technical Museum in Prague.

Pavel also utilizes his hobby for philanthropy; last year, he raised nearly 30,000 euros for a charity supporting children, single parents, and the elderly by auctioning a professional photo album.

While it is uncommon for heads of state to attend races solely for leisure, various leaders frequently engage with the motorsport industry. For instance, last year, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, alongside several drivers and senior team executives, at a reception in 10 Downing Street prior to the British Grand Prix.

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