Czech president turns F1 photographer, stuns fans with trackside camera skills

President Petr Pavel of the Czech Republic spent the weekend photographing high-speed racing at the Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix, offering a refreshing contrast to the luxury often associated with world leaders.

According to Formula 1 on Instagram, Pavel was spotted in official media gear, standing just metres from the track as he captured the speeding cars with multiple cameras.

Accompanied by his security team, the Czech president moved through the pit lane and chatted with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

He was also joined trackside by renowned Czech photographer Jiri Krenek as the cars thundered past.

This is not Pavel's first outing as a motorsport photographer.

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Last year, he attended a MotoGP event in Brno, Czechia, and also documented the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia, where he camped alongside ordinary fans.

A selection of his rally photographs was later exhibited at the National Technical Museum in Prague.

"Motorsport is a fascinating world and I am glad that I can not only watch it, but also record it in some way and share it with others. I hope that my photographs will bring the beauty and challenge of this legendary race closer to the audience," Pavel told PetaPixel during the exhibition's opening in March 2025.

Social media users also noticed that Pavel was shooting with both Canon and Nikon cameras, an unusual combination that many photography enthusiasts consider taboo.

Pavel is not the only world leader with a passion for photography.

Former U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was an avid photographer, while Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck regularly shares photographs he has taken through official state platforms.

Unlike those leaders who publish their work, Pavel has yet to share his motorsport photographs on his personal Instagram account.

Pavel has served as president of the Czech Republic since March 9, 2023.