(Motorsport-Total.com) – Visits by high-ranking politicians at Formula 1 races are not uncommon. Heads of state, heads of government, or ministers are regularly seen in the paddock. They are usually guided through the garages or the starting grid by FIA President Mohammed bin Sulayem or Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and are allowed to present trophies on the winner’s podium after the race.
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Therefore, it is initially not surprising that Petr Pavel, President of the Czech Republic, was a guest at the Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring last weekend. He was seen there accompanied by bin Sulayem in the paddock, but something was different.
Because Pavel was not wearing a suit with a tie, but a complete camera equipment, media vest, and an official FIA accreditation. The 62-year-old was not in an official capacity in Hungary but was pursuing his hobby at Formula 1: sports photography – with a very special passion for motorsport.
This is not the first time Pavel has been spotted as a hobby photographer at a major motorsport event. Just in June, he traveled to France to cover the 24 Hours of Le Mans – of course also with full photo equipment.
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The retired general and former chairman of the NATO Military Committee has attended numerous races on two and four wheels over the years. In his Czech homeland, Pavel photographed, among other events, the MotoGP and Superbike World Championship races in Brno.
His passion for photography has also taken him to the USA for NASCAR and to Saudi Arabia for the Dakar Rally. Some of his shots from the 2025 Dakar Rally, where he also supported the Czech participants, were later exhibited at the National Technical Museum in Prague.
Pavel also uses his hobby for a good cause: last year, he raised almost 30,000 euros for a welfare organization that supports children, single parents, and seniors by auctioning a photo album.
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