British Formula One magnate, Bernie Ecclestone says he “completely agrees” with Vladimir Putin’s stance on gay rights.

In a recent interview with CNN, Ecclestone said that he has “great admiration” for the Russian president, and that he “completely agrees” with Russia’s anti-gay laws.

Ecclestone told CNN, “He hasn’t said he doesn’t agree [with homosexuality] just that he doesn’t want these things publicised to an audience under the age of 18.

“I completely agree with those sentiments and if you took a world census you’d find 90% of the world agree with it as well.”

He added, “I’ve great admiration for him and his courage to say what he says. [It] may upset a few people, but that’s how the world is. It’s how he sees [the world] and I think he’s completely right.”

The 83 year-old Formula One mogul has a business relationship with Putin. The pair met in Sochi last year to assess construction progress ahead of Russia’s first grand prix.