Newsmaker

Putin roars off in F1 race car

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-11-08 10:13

Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin test drives a Renault Formula One team car at a racing track in Leningrad Region, November 7, 2010. [Photo/Agencies]

Over the years, Putin has been seen flipping opponents on the judo mat, riding a horse bare-chested through the mountains and swimming the butterfly stroke in a Siberian river. This summer he showed his prowess by firing darts from a crossbow at a gray whale while being tossed around in choppy seas. He also took the controls of a firefighting plane to dump water on one of the wildfires sweeping through villages south of Moscow.

After receiving instructions Sunday from a Formula One team, Putin climbed into the bright yellow race car wearing a matching jumpsuit and then drove off by himself along an empty road near St. Petersburg. He spun out at one point, but regained control.

When he finished the drive and was told his maximum speed, he smiled and said in English: "For the first time, it's good."

Formula One cars reach speeds of well over 200 mph (300 kph).

Under the Formula One deal, Russia will hold grand prix races near the Black Sea resort of Sochi, which also is hosting the 2014 Winter Olympics.