KUALA LUMPUR: The top executive at Malaysia’s multinational oil and gas firm Petronas on Tuesday (Oct 7) apologised for his participation in post-race celebrations involving champagne at the Singapore Grand Prix over the weekend following backlash back home, including from Islamist political party Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS).
Tengku Muhammad Taufik Tengku Aziz – who is the president and group chief executive officer (CEO) of Petronas – had joined the podium celebrations after the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team clinched victory on Sunday.
“I acknowledge that my spontaneous, spur-of-the-moment exuberance in celebrating that moment of victory may have been misplaced,” he said in a statement, as reported by local news outlet New Straits Times.
“While I can categorically state I did not consume any alcohol, as a Muslim, I should have been more aware of the sensitivities associated with taking part in such celebrations,” he added.
“Accordingly, I want to apologise for any unintended offence caused and take full responsibility for my actions.”
Petronas has been the title and technical partner to the team since 2010.
As Mercedes-AMG Petronas driver George Russell hoisted the trophy following his win ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and McLaren’s Lando Norris, Tengku Muhammad Taufik was seen spraying champagne on the drivers as well as the crowd.
According to The Athletic – a sports news site – F1 winners spraying champagne has been a formal part of the post-race podium ceremony since the 1960s.
Social media users questioned whether it was appropriate for the Muslim executive to partake in the celebrations, while others said that the incident was a non-issue.
Meanwhile, PAS information chief Fadhli Shaari questioned Tengku Muhammad Taufik’s involvement in the champagne shower celebration.
“Even if the bubbly was of the non-alcoholic variety, it’s best to not to get involved in such celebrations as the common perception is that such podium revelry is often associated with intoxicating booze,” Fadhli said in a Facebook post.
In a separate incident, Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Tuesday had warned Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing and the latter’s ministry that the “mistake” of serving alcohol at an official government event recently must not be repeated.
Alcohol was served at a gala dinner on Oct 1 held in conjunction with government agency Tourism Malaysia’s Global Travel Meet event, which was aimed at promoting Malaysia as a preferred tourist destination ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026.
Anwar said on Tuesday that the tourism ministry explained that alcohol was only served after the official programme had ended. “But it was still within the same venue and part of the same event,” he noted.
This was unacceptable as the government has a firm policy against serving alcohol at official functions, without exception, Anwar had warned.
Following the warning, the tourism ministry pledged on Tuesday to tighten monitoring and compliance with event guidelines and ethical standards. It said it “sincerely regrets any confusion or misunderstanding that may have caused discomfort among Malaysians”.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/f1-singapore-grand-prix-petronas-champagne-shower-george-russell-5388846
