Czech President Pavel Photographs F1 Race at Hungaroring
Petr Pavel spent the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend trackside with professional gear and official FIA accreditation, rather than in the ceremonial box as head of state.
Petr Pavel spent the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend trackside with professional gear and official FIA accreditation, rather than in the ceremonial box as head of state.
Czech President Petr Pavel drew particular attention at the Hungaroring this weekend, appearing not as a guest of honor but as an accredited photographer with full professional gear. On Saturday, July 25, 2026, he attended the practice sessions and qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix, and on Sunday he also photographed the race itself, won by Lando Norris. He was accompanied trackside by renowned Czech F1 photographer Jiří Křenek.
Pavel arrived at the track with full photographic equipment and official accreditation from the International Automobile Federation (FIA). According to reports from the 24sata portal, he had an informal chat in the paddock with FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, then headed trackside in search of the perfect shot. The sight of a European head of state in a purple media vest, shoulder to shoulder with professional photographers, did not go unnoticed by foreign media covering the weekend.
The Hungaroring is not an isolated case. Pavel has a long-standing passion for motorsport and photography, which he regularly combines at major events. In June 2026, he photographed the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans in France, and in previous years he traveled to the United States to shoot NASCAR races and to Saudi Arabia for the Dakar Rally. In the Czech Republic itself, he regularly follows MotoGP and World Superbike events at the Brno circuit. His connection to motorsport goes beyond the lens, as in 2025 he led the drivers' parade in his BMW at the Czech Grand Prix.
Pavel's photographic passion also has a humanitarian dimension. According to a report from the Sportklub portal, last year he sold an album of his best race photographs at auction and raised nearly €30,000 for the foundation of his wife Eva Pavlova, which helps children, single parents, and the elderly. The photographs he took at the 2025 Dakar Rally, where he actively supported Czech competitors, were exhibited at the National Technical Museum in Prague under the title "In the Desert with Finger on the Trigger", combining his military past and photographic present.
Behind this unusual hobby lies an exceptionally rich career. Pavel, born November 1, 1961, devoted 34 years of his life to military service. He was Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic from 2012 to 2015, and then Chairman of the NATO Military Committee from 2015 to 2018, as the first officer from the former Eastern Bloc to hold that position. In March 2023, he was inaugurated as the fourth President of the Czech Republic, defeating former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš in the second round of elections with 58 percent of the vote.
Although politicians occasionally appear at F1 events, Pavel's approach stands out for its directness. According to the Sportklub portal, former British Prime Minister Keir Starmer last year hosted Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and drivers at a reception at Downing Street ahead of the British Grand Prix, which is a diplomatic format. Pavel, on the other hand, arrives with accreditation and a lens. As he himself stated:
"Motorsport is a fascinating world, and I am happy not only to follow it but also to capture it and share it with others."
