Vladimir Putin races a Formula One car
#1
11-08-2010 | 01:46 PM
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From: Rochester Hills, MI
Vladimir Putin races a Formula One car 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.
His latest display of machismo comes hot on the heels of a long road trip across Russia's Far East in a Lada. Mr Putin has also been photograph 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.
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.
YouTube - Putin puts foot down in Formula One car, speeds up to 240 km/h
Source: Telegraph.co.uk
Mr Putin, who is 58, donned a patriotic helmet emblazoned with the Russian flag and Russia's national symbol, a double-headed eagle.
His latest display of machismo comes hot on the heels of a long road trip across Russia's Far East in a Lada. Mr Putin has also been photograph 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.
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.
YouTube - Putin puts foot down in Formula One car, speeds up to 240 km/h
Source: Telegraph.co.uk
#8
11-08-2010 | 02:26 PM
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,031
From: Chicago, Il
my thoughts exactly
#10
11-08-2010 | 03:11 PM
TeH Ears
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,188
From: Atlanta
Has Mark touched you inappropriately lately? Why do you want to see the Putin without his shirt, sportin moobs?