‘Macho man’ Putin zooms in Formula One racecar

LONDON - Russian Prime Minister Valdimir Putin had a taste of Formula One racing on Sunday when he tried his driving skills on a yellow Renault, reaching a speed of almost 150 miles per hour.

Putin has added Formula One racing to the macho pursuits he has showcased on a long list of action man activities, reports The Telegraph.

He 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.

The 58-year-old politician wore a patriotic helmet emblazoned with the Russian flag and the national emblem of the double-headed-eagle.

Putin said 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, Putin said he thought he had driven well.

“For a first time, it was good,” he said.

At one point, however, he was shown temporarily losing control of the powerful car and skidding to a halt. The outing, on a track near Putin’s native St. Petersburg, was also in line with past motorised stunts.

His latest display of machismo comes hot on the heels of a long road trip across Russia’s Far East in a Lada.

The stunt ensures that his profile remains high as speculation grows that he will run for a third term as president in 2012.

It also draws attention to the fact that Russia will host its first F1 race in 2014. (ANI)