A former NATO Military Chairman, Petr Pavel, spends his free time as an accredited motorsport photographer rather than watching from the comfort of hospitality boxes.
The Czech president is a gigantic motorhead and was most recently spotted trackside at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Covering MotoGP and World Superbike
Pavel has covered the MotoGP and World Superbike events in the Czech Republic, as well as other races around the world.
In 2025, he said: "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."
Dakar Rally exhibition
Pavel's passion for motorsport photography also led to an exhibition, titled 'In the Desert with a Finger on the Trigger', featuring photos taken during a private visit to the Dakar Rally.
He said: "Dakar is not only an extreme race, but also a story of human endurance, teamwork and determination. I had the opportunity to experience it up close and capture the atmosphere that prevails on the racing field and among the fans."
Motorcycle accident and parade
As well as photographing motorsport vehicles, Pavel enjoys testing them out on the roads. He was hospitalised in May 2024 after suffering injuries in an accident while riding a motorcycle.
He later led the 2025 Czech Republic motorcycle Grand Prix parade into Brno Circuit on a BMW bike.
