Petronas CEO Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik Tengku Aziz has issued a public apology following his celebrations on the Singapore Grand Prix podium, clarifying that while he did not consume any alcohol, he recognizes that his behavior may have gone too far according to Islamic values.
The incident after the Singapore Grand Prix
Joining George Russell on the podium after the Mercedes driver’s victory at the Singapore Grand Prix, the CEO of Petronas — the team’s title sponsor — fully embraced the moment, taking part in the traditional champagne celebration. The scene drew significant attention, as Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik Tengku Aziz is a practicing Muslim, and such displays are typically avoided within his faith.
Following the event, he released an official statement to publicly apologize, explaining that he became caught up in the excitement of the occasion and acted in a way that could be viewed as inappropriate within Islamic traditions. “I would like to clarify that I did not consume any alcoholic beverages,” he said. “However, as a Muslim, I acknowledge that I should not have been involved in any form of such celebration. Therefore, I sincerely apologize for my actions, which may have unintentionally caused offense, and I take full responsibility for what I have done.”
“Honored to represent the team”
Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik Tengku Aziz went on to express pride in representing Petronas and Mercedes on the podium: “I am honored to have represented the team and to have received the trophy on behalf of the winning constructor. Once again, the Mercedes-Petronas partnership has demonstrated a level of excellence that we must continue to uphold as we move into the era of sustainable fuels, showcasing Malaysia’s innovation, capability, and technical superiority.”
Leave a Reply