WATCH: When Russian President Vladimir Putin drove a Renault F1 car at St. Petersburg

F1 had a deal to relocate Russian GP from Sochi to Igora Drive near St Petersburg for 2023.

WATCH: When Russian President Vladimir Putin drove a Renault F1 car at St. Petersburg

Vladimir Putin in Renault F1 car (Credits: Daily Star)

Reserved for professionals, F1 cars are a luxury only a few get to experience. Despite the usual association with racing drivers, there have been instances where actors and celebrities have tested their skills behind the wheel. However, in a unique turn of events in 2010, the opportunity to commandeer an F1 car befell the hands of a politician. Russian President Vladimir Putin took a break from politics to try his hand at F1 racing. 

The incident unfolded in St. Petersburg, where Putin, serving as the President at the time, got behind the wheel of a Renault F1 R30 car for the very first time. While the world’s top racing drivers battled it out in the penultimate race of the 2010 F1 season in Brazil, Putin spent several hours test-driving the high-powered vehicle on an empty stretch of road on the outskirts of his home city. 

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The Russian president demonstrated his racing debut skills by reaching speeds of up to 150 miles per hour in the Renault F1 car. Despite the inherent risks associated with such high-speed endeavors, Putin appeared pleased with the experience, sharing with reporters afterward;

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For a first time, it was good.

The incident occurred just four years before Russia was set to host its first-ever Grand Prix in Sochi, coinciding with the Winter Olympics at the Black Sea Resort. Putin’s interest in F1 was further cemented when he signed a deal with F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone to bring the prestigious racing series to Russia starting in 2014. This move, coupled with Putin’s televised test drive, aimed to elevate the profile of motorsport in the country.

Why isn’t there a Russian GP in F1 anymore?

However, fast forward to 2021, and the Russian GP faced an uncertain future due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Despite the track at Sochi Autodrom witnessing a memorable race in 2021 and having a contract until 2025, the geopolitical landscape prompted F1 to make a challenging decision. The international sporting community, in a stance against the conflict, decided not to continue racing in Russia. 

President Putin in Renault overalls, readying for his first F1 car trip
President Putin in Renault overalls, readying for his first F1 car trip (Credits: CTV News)

The Haas F1 team initially secured a contract with one of the four Russian drivers in history, Nikita Mazepin for the 2022 season. However, in the aftermath of geopolitical events, the team opted to terminate the agreement and sever connections with the Russian business behemoth, Uralkali, their title partner. Subsequently, Haas enlisted the services of Kevin Magnussen alongside Mick Schumacher for the 2022 season. These pivotal choices led to the exclusion of the Russian Grand Prix from the F1 calendar.

While Putin has been a presence at the Russian Grand Prix, even presenting trophies to podium finishers, the political developments and global sentiment resulted in the exclusion of the race from the F1 schedule. Despite the absence of an official F1 race in Russia, the memory of Putin’s F1 test drive in 2010 remains a fascinating and somewhat unexpected chapter in the world of motorsport.

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