SOCHI, April 29. /TASS/. Formula One CEO Bernie Ecclestone told TASS on Friday he would be glad if Russian President Vladimir Putin would be awarding on Sunday the winner of FIA F1 Sochi Grand Prix just like he did it in the previous two years.

Asked who would be awarding the trophy to the winner of the Russian Grand Prix and whether it would be President Putin, Ecclestone said "We will see, but we would be very happy if he [Putin] would."

The Formula One supremo also said that he "would be surprised" if Putin was not planning to come to Sochi for this year’s Grand Prix.

The Black Sea resort of Sochi hosted Russia’s first time ever Formula One race in 2014 and then again in 2015. Both races were won by British pilot Lewis Hamilton from team Mercedes.

Both times when three-time World Champion Hamilton stepped on the top of the podium in Sochi, he was personally awarded the winner’s trophy by Russian President Putin.

This year Russia is holding its FIA Formula One racing Grand Prix for the first time in spring, namely on April 29-May 1, as compared with the two previous races held in autumn of 2014 and 2015 in Sochi.

A total of 21 races had been scheduled for the 2016 FIA F1 Championship, with Sochi GP listed fourth on the calendar.