Key Mercedes sponsor CEO issues apology after Singapore celebration

The president and CEO of Mercedes' title sponsor Petronas, has issued an apology for his celebration on the podium of the Singapore Grand Prix.

Tengku Muhammed Taufik was invited onto the podium to serve as the team representative to collect the winning constructors' trophy after George Russell's dominant win, with Singapore being the nearest race to Malaysia, where Petronas is based.

However, Taufik joined in with the spraying of champagne during the celebrations, but has now issued a statement, apologising that he "should have been more aware of the sensitivities" of taking part.

"I acknowledge that my spur-of-the-moment exuberance in celebrating that moment of victory may have been misplaced," he said, as quoted by The 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.

"I want to apologise for any unintended offence caused and take full responsibility for my actions."

Muslims make up roughly 15.6% of the population of Singapore, with Islam the third-biggest religion in Singapore, behind Buddhism and Christianity, as per the 2020 census. 

F1 uses champagne at the Singapore GP, but this is not the case for races in the Middle East where alcohol consumption and promotion are banned, with races in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi using rosewater instead.