The Russian prime minister took the controls of a bright yellow Renault Formula One car over the weekend, test-driving the car for several hours at speeds of up to 150 miles per hour.
Mr Putin, who is 58, donned a patriotic helmet emblazoned with the Russian flag and Russia's national symbol, a double-headed eagle.
That display of machismo came hot on the heels of a long road trip across Russia's Far East in a Lada. Mr Putin has also been photographed naked from the waist up on fishing and hunting trips as well as harpooning whales in the Arctic.
Mr Putin quipped that the cramped cockpit of the Formula One car was more uncomfortable than that of an old Soviet-era car he used to drive.
"My old Zaporozhets had more space," he said through his visor as he squeezed into the tiny cockpit, referring to a Soviet car not known for its creature comforts.
Unusually speaking English, Mr Putin said he thought he had driven well.
"For a first time, it was good," he said.
At one point, however, he is shown temporarily losing control of the powerful car and skidding to a halt.
The outing, on a track near Mr Putin's native St. Petersburg, was also in line with past motorised stunts.
He has previously piloted strategic bomber aircraft and rode Harley-Davidson motorcycles with biker gangs as well as driving four-wheel drive Lada military jeeps.
It also draws attention to the fact that Russia will host its first F1 race in 2014.
Unusually speaking English, Mr Putin said he thought he had driven well.
"For a first time, it was good," he said.
At one point, however, he is shown temporarily losing control of the powerful car and skidding to a halt.
The outing, on a track near Mr Putin's native St. Petersburg, was also in line with past motorised stunts.
He has previously piloted strategic bomber aircraft and rode Harley-Davidson motorcycles with biker gangs as well as driving four-wheel drive Lada military jeeps.
It also draws attention to the fact that Russia will host its first F1 race in 2014.
No comments:
Post a Comment