PETRONAS president and group CEO Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik has apologised for his participation in post-race celebrations involving champagne at the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday, acknowledging that his spontaneous display of joy “may have been misplaced.”
He said the recent victory at the Singapore Grand Prix was a much-awaited achievement in our longstanding strategic partnership with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team in this season.
"I felt honoured when I was invited to receive the Winning Constructor Trophy on the team’s behalf.
"However, I acknowledge that my spontaneous, spur-of-the-moment exuberance in celebrating that moment of victory may have been misplaced.
"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 said.
He apologised for his unintended offence caused and said he takes full responsibility for his actions.
"On behalf of Petronas, permit me to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude for the continued support of our participation in what is the pinnacle of motorsports competition.
"The successes we deliver now and in the upcoming era of sustainable fuels will indeed bear testimony to Malaysian innovation and capabilities," he added.
Pictures of Taufik on the podium spraying and being sprayed with champagne alongside the winning team had earlier gone viral on social media.
PAS information chief Fadhli Shaari took exception to this and questioned how a senior member of Petronas management who is a Muslim be involved in this controversial 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," he said in Facebook. - October 7, 2025
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