Tengku Muhammad Taufik, chief government of long-standing Mercedes F1 sponsor Petronas, triggered a stir when he took half in champagne-soaked celebrations on the Singapore Grand Prix
The Muslim boss of main Components 1 staff sponsor Petronas has apologised for spraying champagne throughout podium celebrations on the Singapore Grand Prix. The race was gained by George Russell which means a consultant of the Mercedes staff was invited onto the rostrum, becoming a member of the highest three drivers.
Silver Arrows chief Toto Wolff provided Petronas chief government Tengku Muhammad Taufik the chance, which he accepted. And, as is custom in motorsport, as soon as the trophies had been offered and nationwide anthems performed, champagne corks had been popped and the bubbly was sprayed in celebration.
Tengku Muhammad, a former Strathclyde College pupil, was utterly soaked in champagne after becoming a member of in with Russell, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris throughout the post-race custom.
However the 49-year-old has now stated sorry for upsetting fellow Muslims by being concerned within the booze-soaked celebrations, admitting he ought to have identified higher than to permit himself to get carried away.
He stated: “I acknowledge that my spur-of-the-moment exuberance in celebrating that second of victory could have been misplaced.
“Whereas I can categorically state I didn’t devour any alcohol, as a Muslim, I ought to have been extra conscious of the sensitivities related to participating in such celebrations. I wish to apologise for any unintended offence triggered and take full duty for my actions.”
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Champagne is extensively utilized by F1 at most races for the needs of spraying in podium celebrations. However non-alcoholic substitutes are used at some races the place they’re legally prohibited from doing so.
Of the present 24 race occasions in F1, solely three are affected. On the Bahrain, Saudi Arabian and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix, fizzy grape juice is used instead. However there isn’t any ban on the usage of alcohol for such functions in Singapore, nor was there when the game used to race in Malaysia, the place Petronas is predicated.
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The win was Russell’s second of the season and Mercedes’ first in Singapore since 2018, when a 20-year-old Verstappen was additionally the runner-up behind Lewis Hamilton. The Brit stays fourth within the drivers’ standings with 237 factors – 37 behind Verstappen forward however 63 away from Charles Leclerc behind.
Although he has not had the automobile to take action this yr, Russell stated after his win in Singapore: “I really feel able to combat for a championship. I really feel able to take it to my subsequent step. I am a really completely different driver in the present day to the one I used to be a few years in the past, and I really feel extra full, extra assured. I do know precisely what I must do in given circumstances.”
