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Motorsport

Oleg Karpov

Czech Republic president attends Hungarian GP... as a photographer

Petr Pavel Czech Republic F1

Ever wondered what world leaders do in their free time? For Czech Republic president Petr Pavel, the answer is sports photography - and he's particularly passionate about motorsport.

This weekend, he's attending the Hungarian GP with a full photography kit - and an official FIA accreditation. He arrived at the Hungaroring for Saturday's sessions and was already taking pictures, accompanied by Czech F1 photographer Jiri Krenek.

This wasn’t the first time he was seen at a major motorsport event as a hobby photographer. Most recently, Pavel travelled to France in June to attend the Le Mans 24 Hours, once again equipped with full camera gear.

In fact, the former NATO Military Chairman has attended several races on both two and four wheels over the years. Within the Czech Republic, Pavel covered the MotoGP and World Superbike events at Brno, while he has travelled as far as the US and Saudi Arabia to photograph NASCAR and the Dakar Rally respectively.

Petr Pavel, President of Czech Republic and Photographer at trackside (Photo by: Michael Potts / LAT Images via Getty Images)

Some of the photographs he took at the 2025 Dakar event, where he also supported Czech competitors, were put on display at the National Technical Museum in Prague.

Last year, he also raised nearly 30,000 euros for a charity dedicated to children, single parents and the elderly by auctioning a photo album.

While it is unusual for politicians to attend races purely for leisure, several leaders regularly appear at major motorsport events in their own countries.

Last year, then British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, drivers and senior team figures at a reception in 10 Downing Street ahead of the British GP.

Photos from Hungarian GP - Sunday

50 Formula 1

Lando Norris, McLaren

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Lando Norris, McLaren

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Lando Norris, McLaren

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Lando Norris, McLaren

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Lando Norris, McLaren

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Lando Norris, McLaren

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Lando Norris, McLaren

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Lando Norris, McLaren

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Lando Norris, McLaren

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Lando Norris, McLaren

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Lando Norris, McLaren

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Lando Norris, McLaren

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team; Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team; Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Alexander Albon, Williams

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Nico Hülkenberg, Audi F1 Team, Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team; Franco Colapinto, Alpine; Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Lando Norris, McLaren

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Ayao Komatsu, Haas F1 Team

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Flavio Briatore, Alpine

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Lawrence Stroll, Owner, Aston Martin F1 Team, Gary Gannon, Senior Race Engineer, Aston Martin F1 Team

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Lando Norris, McLaren

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Drivers' parade

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Lando Norris, McLaren

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Lando Norris, McLaren

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Mohammed ben Sulayem, FIA President, Petr Pavel, President, Czech Republic

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Nico Hulkenberg, Audi F1 Team

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

Lando Norris, McLaren

Hungarian Grand Prix - Sunday

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