Nabil Luqman

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Social

apology

controversy

alcohol

backlash

celebration

Petronas

champagne

motorsports

The champagne spray has been synonymous with Formula One podium celebrations since the 1950s, when race winners began popping bottles of bubbly to mark their victories. Over the decades, the ritual has become an iconic spectacle: drivers lifting their trophies before drenching each other, their teams, and the crowd in celebratory streams of champagne.
In recent years, however, the tradition has sparked debates in countries where alcohol consumption is either banned or sensitive. To accommodate local regulations, Formula One has sometimes substituted alcoholic champagne with non-alcoholic alternatives such as sparkling water or alcohol-free sparkling wine, while still bearing the familiar Mo&euml;t branding.
The Incident in Singapore
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
PETRONAS CEO Muhammad Taufik has apologised for taking part in the podium celebration where champagne was sprayed at the Singapore Grand Prix. "While I can categorically state I did not consume any alcohol, as a Muslim, I should have been more aware of the sensitivities&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/WDJK7j0Oz3">pic.twitter.com/WDJK7j0Oz3</a>
&mdash; BFM News (@NewsBFM) <a href="https://twitter.com/NewsBFM/status/1975727263162507626?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2025</a></blockquote>

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The latest controversy unfolded on 5 October 2025, when Mercedes-AMG Petronas driver George Russell secured victory at the Singapore Grand Prix. As Petronas is the title sponsor and long-time partner of the Mercedes team, its President and Group CEO, Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik, was invited onto the podium to receive the Winning Constructor&rsquo;s Trophy.
During the celebrations, Tengku Taufik was sprayed with champagne alongside Russell and the team, and he joined in posing for photographs with bottles in hand. Footage of the incident quickly circulated online, igniting a heated response from the public. Critics argued that, as a Muslim and a corporate leader, he should have avoided taking part in festivities associated with alcohol.
Some pointed out that previous Petronas CEOs had deliberately stepped away from the podium before the champagne showers began, a gesture seen as respecting religious sensitivities.
Clarification: Was It Really Alcohol?
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/f242e89fc3a2f47a6b337d7bd83e0e0f364c668424ce272773ec5ee532517403" />
Much of the uproar stemmed from the assumption that champagne used in Singapore contained alcohol. However, Formula One had announced just weeks earlier, in September 2025, that Mo&euml;t Hennessy&rsquo;s French Bloom would be the official alcohol-free sparkling wine partner for its events.
The beverage, a premium sparkling ros&eacute; water branded under Mo&euml;t, is distributed at all F1-operated Paddock Clubs and garages, and often extends to podium celebrations in venues where alcohol restrictions apply &ndash; such as Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Dubai. This raises the possibility that the drink sprayed in Singapore may not have contained any alcohol at all, even if it looked indistinguishable from traditional champagne.
Nevertheless, the optics of the incident struck a nerve with certain sections of the Malaysian public, particularly among conservative groups.
The Apology
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/98d92e37904c17d9920910951a1844fe18d9327f94e6ce9e1c8b4b1715c7ffbf" />
On 7 October, Tengku Taufik issued a formal apology, acknowledging the criticism and clarifying his position. He stressed that he had not consumed alcohol but admitted that his actions may have been &ldquo;misplaced&rdquo; in light of the sensitivities involved.
&ldquo;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. Accordingly, I want to apologise for any unintended offence caused and take full responsibility for my actions,&rdquo; he said in his statement.
He added that his participation had been a spontaneous expression of joy following a &ldquo;long-awaited victory&rdquo; and that he was honoured to represent Petronas on such a global stage.
Public Reaction and Political Undertones
Reactions to the apology have been mixed. While some Malaysians condemned Tengku Taufik&rsquo;s actions, arguing that he should have known better, others defended him, pointing out the non-alcoholic nature of the drink and describing the criticism as disproportionate.
The issue also gained political traction. Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) was among the most vocal in criticising the CEO, highlighting how the episode clashed with Malaysia&rsquo;s cultural and religious sensitivities. The controversy echoed an earlier row in October involving Tourism Minister Tiong King Sing, who faced backlash for alcohol being served at an official dinner.
Here&rsquo;s some of the comments:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">
Dia pun kaki minum. Klu org tak minum arak tobak dia xkan pegang botol arak tu. Sambil sembur sambil minum arak
&mdash; Abu.Ar (@adzdin) <a href="https://twitter.com/adzdin/status/1975436641453154645?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 7, 2025</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">
So he blundered. He apologized. Did his actions harm anyone? Asking for him to resign? Overkill much? We should be more outraged that our officials tried to pass 7 foreigners as Malaysians, using questionable documents. Those people should be held accountable.
&mdash; Watchful so as not to be deceived (@dougyeo) <a href="https://twitter.com/dougyeo/status/1975749861656936755?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2025</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">
Tak minum tapi main air haha confirm lah kantoi.. apa lagi lah tak kantoi.. tuhan nak tunjuk.. memang mintak kena maki.. dunia mewah akhirat semoga diampunkan
&mdash; arina 🍉🍉🍉🍉 (@arinafrhn) <a href="https://twitter.com/arinafrhn/status/1975761235594584185?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2025</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">
Mana fair. Cuba kalau yang staff bawahan yg buat mcm tu. Bg rosak imej petronas, confirm kena tatatertib or kena buang terus
&mdash; SirBlackXavier (@SirBlackXavier1) <a href="https://twitter.com/SirBlackXavier1/status/1975716514893602824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2025</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">
CEO buat salah, minta maaf. Staf bawah pencacai terbuat lawak bodoh, terus kena DI.
&mdash; Dr Ismail (@dr_ismailashmat) <a href="https://twitter.com/dr_ismailashmat/status/1975572387837190483?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 7, 2025</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">
Time sembur tu rasa ada dah termasuk mulut. "Tak minum" . Sadie Mane tu mengaji tak pandai pun. Tahu nak elak benda ni
&mdash; Fitri Ten Hag (@Fitrixxyy) <a href="https://twitter.com/Fitrixxyy/status/1975576102564470917?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 7, 2025</a></blockquote>

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Beyond the Gaffe: Petronas in Formula One
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/ce0da42bd77605dcbf7ba8ea2cd28eacfbed44f9b30937ba674e919ebdb9c174" />
Despite the uproar, Tengku Taufik used his statement to reiterate Petronas&rsquo; commitment to Formula One and highlight Malaysia&rsquo;s contributions to the sport. He described the partnership with Mercedes-AMG as a showcase of Malaysian innovation and capabilities, especially as the sport transitions to sustainable fuels in the coming years.
Petronas has been a title sponsor and technical partner of Mercedes-AMG for over a decade, playing a pivotal role in its dominance across multiple championship seasons. The Singapore win marked a milestone in their ongoing collaboration and was celebrated internationally as a major achievement for the team.
A Lesson in Optics
While the controversy may soon fade, it underscores the delicate balance corporate figures must maintain between international sporting traditions and domestic cultural expectations. For Petronas, the champagne shower incident has proven to be more than a fleeting podium moment &mdash; it has become a case study in how global partnerships can collide with local sensitivities.
&nbsp;
*Sources: Visual and Reference Credits to Social Media &amp; various cross-references for context.
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Though he didn’t consume alcohol, he admits joining the champagne spray was a mistake.

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Petronas CEO Tengku Muhammad Taufik  Apologises Over F1 Champagne Podium Controversy

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BIllie Eilish UMMY

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Petronas CEO Tengku Muhammad Taufik Apologises Over F1 Champagne Podium Controversy

Though he didn’t consume alcohol, he admits joining the champagne spray was a mistake.

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