Formula 1 had an unusual and honorable name working as a photographer during the Hungarian GP weekend: Petr Pavel, none other than the President of the Czech Republic.
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Besides his political commitments, the head of state also has a deep passion for photography. At the Hungaroring stage, he fulfilled all the requirements to participate in the event capturing images both of the track and the paddock.
Before entering the political world, Pavel had a successful military career that took him to one of the highest positions in NATO. Between 2015 and 2018, he served as chairman of the NATO Military Committee, also making history by being the first representative of a former Warsaw Pact country to hold the highest military position in the Alliance. In 2023, he was then elected President of the Czech Republic.
But Petr’s passion for photography goes far beyond Formula 1. Earlier this year, he was also present at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and his portfolio also includes coverage of MotoGP and the Superbike World Championship in Brno, NASCAR races in the United States, and the Dakar in Saudi Arabia.
Read more F1: Montoya believes that Verstappen and Antonelli will stand out at the GP in Sepang
The President of the Czech Republic spends his vacations being a professional photographer for F1 and other motorsports.
Petr Pavel has full media credentials and is just there for the love of the game. pic.twitter.com/nXmMIuEGV4
Read more F1: Hamilton laments Ferrari’s performance at the Hungarian GP: «We should have won»
— Pubity (@pubity) July 26, 2026
