Czech President Petr Pavel attended the Hungarian Formula 1 Grand Prix as an accredited photographer. He arrived at the Hungaroring circuit with his own professional equipment and photographed the race alongside other members of the media. On Sunday 26 July, British driver Lando Norris won the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Briefly about the main points
- Petr Pavel worked at the Hungarian Grand Prix on a media accreditation basis.
- The Czech President filmed the race using his own professional equipment.
- On the track, he worked alongside the Czech F1 photographer Jiří Krenek.
- Pavel also met with FIA President Mohammed bin Sulayem.
- Sports photography has long been a passion of the Czech president.
On the track — alongside the media
The 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix took place on 24–26 July at the Hungaroring circuit in Mődőrod, near Budapest. Peter Paul He had been at the circuit since at least Saturday, according to Motorsport.com, and was working alongside a Czech Formula 1 photographer Jiří Krenek.
The President’s visit was of an informal nature. Whilst at the racetrack, he met with the President of the International Automobile Federation Mohammed bin Sulaiman. No substantive public statements or agreements were reported following this meeting.
Motorsport through the President’s lens
His work on the Hungarian leg marked a continuation of Pavel’s passion for sports photography. Last year he photographed the Dakar Rally, and in 2026 he was already working at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France and at a motorcycling event in Brno.
Photographs taken by the President at the «Dakar 2025» in Saudi Arabia were exhibited last spring at the National Technical Museum in Prague, alongside works by professional rally photographers. At the exhibition opening, Pavel explained that he wanted to convey, through his photographs, the atmosphere of the race, its beauty and its complexity.
From the exhibition to the charity auction
A series of trips to various competitions, a museum exhibition and a charity auction all demonstrate that photography is a long-standing personal pursuit for the Czech president, rather than a one-off public appearance. According to Motorsport.com, Pavel’s photo book, sold at a charity auction in 2025, raised nearly 30,000 euros for an organisation that helps children, single parents and the elderly.
At present, there is no confirmed information as to whether the photographs taken by Pavel at the Hungarian Grand Prix will be made public, or whether there are plans to display them at an exhibition or sell them for charity.
A round-up of the Hungarian weekend
Lando Norris won the race on 26 July. Max Verstappen finished second, with Kimi Antonelli in third. The Hungaroring has hosted Formula 1 since 1986, and the contract to host the Hungarian Grand Prix runs until 2032. Ahead of the 2026 season, the circuit has refurbished the main paddock building, the grandstands and the spectator areas.
