Czech President Pavel photographs Hungarian GP

Czech President Petr Pavel, a former NATO military chief, spent the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend not as a state guest but as an accredited trackside photographer, capturing the event with professional camera gear and an official FIA media pass. The 64-year-old head of state was seen at the Hungaroring circuit on July 26, working alongside professional photographers, including Czech F1 photographer Jiří Křenek, and was accompanied by a security detail.

Pavel’s presence in the pit lane and around the paddock, where he was reportedly welcomed by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, quickly drew attention on social media, with many observers praising his dedication to a personal passion. This was not an isolated incident, as the president has a well-documented history of photographing major motorsport events. Earlier in June, he attended the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France with similar equipment. His portfolio also includes coverage of MotoGP and World Superbike events in Brno, Czech Republic, NASCAR races in the United States, and the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia.

Beyond a hobby, Pavel has leveraged his photography for charitable purposes. In 2025, he auctioned a photo book featuring...