While in St. Petersburg this week for the FIA's general assembly and prize giving ceremony, Jean Todt had an opportunity to meet on Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Formula 1 was obviously on the two men's agenda, with Sochi establishing itself as a fixture on the Grand Prix calendar since 2014 and Putin attending each year the popular event.
But Russia's President also ensured his FIA counterpart that motorsport was trending in the country, with plans for a new racing facility to be built in the St. Petersburg area.
"With you here, we can mark the development of car racing in Russia," Putin told Todt.
"We are conducting not only F1 races but we are also constructing a race centre in St Petersburg. We would like you to give your assessment and recommendations."
At the end of their encounter, Todt took the opportunity to offer Putin a, FIA crash helmet signed by several F1 stars, including Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg.
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