Petr Pavel, a leader known for his passion for photography and motorsports, surprised by covering the activity at the Hungaroring with official permission from the FIA and a professional team
The Hungarian Grand Prix left an unusual image off the track. Among the accredited photographers covering the weekend's activities was Petr Pavel, president of the Czech Republic, who combined one of his great passions with his official agenda by attending the Hungaroring as the official photographer.
Equipped with professional cameras and FIA accreditation, the president closely followed the Sunday activities alongside Czech Formula 1 photographer Jiri Krenek, capturing images of the cars from various sectors of the circuit.
Pavel's presence was neither an improvisation nor an isolated event. The Czech president is a recognized fan of sports photography and has been taking advantage of his free time to cover motorsport competitions for several years. In June, for example, he was at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the same role, while previously he attended MotoGP tests and World Superbike in Brno, in addition to traveling to the United States to photograph NASCAR and to Saudi Arabia to follow the Dakar Rally.
Petr Pavel worked as a photographer at the Hungarian GP
His connection to photography even transcended the personal realm. Some of the images he took during the 2025 Dakar Rally were exhibited at the National Technical Museum in Prague and, last year, he auctioned an album of his works to raise nearly 30,000 euros for charities that assist children, single-parent families, and the elderly.
Before assuming the presidency of the Czech Republic, Pavel was the head of NATO's Military Committee, although he never abandoned his interest in motorsport, a passion he has maintained for years and which was once again reflected this weekend in the Formula 1 paddock.
While it is not common to see heads of state accredited as photographers at a sporting event, the presence of political leaders at grand prix events is not a novelty. In 2025, for example, then British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed the president and CEO of Formula 1, Stefano Domenicali, along with drivers and representatives of the teams, ahead of the British Grand Prix.
