MOSCOW Vladimir Putin just cannot stay away from manly pursuits.

The Russian prime minister took a Formula One race car out for a spin on Sunday, reaching speeds of almost 150 mph.

Putin signed a deal last month with Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone to bring F1 racing to Russia starting in 2014, and his televised test drive could help raise the profile of the sport in Russia.

The stunt also matches the action-man image Putin has cultivated over the years, beginning with his startling flight into Chechnya in 2000 in a fighter jet.

When he finished the drive and was told his maximum speed, he smiled and said in English: “For the first time, it's good.”

Under the Formula One deal, Russia will hold grand prix races near the Black Sea resort of Sochi, which also is hosting the 2014 Winter Olympics.

CANBERRA, Australia Australia’s government plans to hold a referendum within three years on whether to amend its constitution to acknowledge the Aborigines as the first Australians, the prime minister said Monday.Prime Minister Julia Gillard said the time was now right to amend the constitution to acknowledge that “the first people of our nation have a unique and special place” because such a referendum has broad support in parliament. Parliament needs to endorse proposals to hold referendums.One of the first acts undertaken by the Labor government after its 2007 parliament election victory was to formally apologize to Aborigines for injustices during the more than 200 years since British colonists arrived.An expert panel including Aborigines will soon be appointed and report to the government next year on the wording of the referendum. The vote will take place before or during the next general election in late 2013, she said.“Support this widespread across the parliament means we have a once-in-50-years opportunity for our country,” Gillard told reporters.