Putin puts his foot down in F1 car

7 Nov, 2010 11:59 / Updated 13 years ago

The Russian Prime Minister may have been looking to become the fastest politician in the world - fulfilling his “need for speed” in St. Petersburg, where he took to the track on four wheels.

He reached speeds of up to 250 kilometers per hour in a Formula One car, after a full safety rundown by trained professionals.This sudden interest in racing comes after Russia's successful bid to hold a Formula One event following the Sochi Olympics in 2014.A deal for a professional race in Sochi was signed three weeks ago, in what would be a first for Russia.Putin joked afterwards that the small Formula One racer cramped his style and that he is more at home in his vintage Soviet car.