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Czech President Petr Pavel set aside official protocol at the Hungarian Grand Prix and joined the event as an FIA-accredited photojournalist, documenting the Formula 1 action from trackside at the Hungaroring circuit.
Known for his interest in motorsports and photography, Pavel attended the race alongside prominent Czech Formula 1 photographer Jiri Krenek. Rather than watching from a designated area for political guests, he carried an official FIA media credential, which provides approved journalists and photographers with access to restricted parts of Formula 1 venues.
The Hungarian Grand Prix, held on July 26, was the final race before the 2026 Formula 1 season entered its summer break. The event ended with drivers representing three different teams sharing the podium.
Pavel followed the race from close to the circuit and photographed the action as it unfolded, combining his interest in motorsports with his long-standing photography hobby.
Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar came across Pavel at the Hungaroring and later shared his surprise on social media, posting a photograph of the two together.
"Do you know who this photographer I ran into on the Hungaroring grid today is? It’s @prezidentpavel , President of the Czech Republic, visiting in a private capacity as a hobby photographer," Magyar wrote.
Their meeting brought wider attention to Pavel's unusual role at the Grand Prix, where he appeared as a working media professional rather than as a protocol guest.
Formula 1 also shared images of the Czech president through its official Instagram account, drawing attention to his photography work at the circuit.
"Here is an example of motorsport photography! Czech President Petr Pavel was trackside to document the excitement at the Hungaroring," the organization said.
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