Formula 1 needs more tracks like Baku, says Mercedes' Toto Wolff

The 3.7-mile course blended high-speed sections including F1's longest straight and tighter areas such as the narrow passage through Baku's Old City.

It received a mixed response, with many drivers praising its challenge but questions over runoff areas and the pit entry set-up also raised.

Jenson Button described some parts of the track as a "backwards" step for F1 safety.

Wolff believes Baku's positives far outweigh the negatives.

"Two weeks ago I was on the Isle of Man looking at the TT and I found it very spectacular," he said.

"I think that Baku is a spectacular track, it's just what we need in Formula 1 - although I can understand that from the drivers' perspective it needs to be as safe as possible.

"Nobody wants to see racing in supermarket car parks with runoff areas that are miles wide and where you can rejoin if you made a mistake.

"This makes all the difference and therefore without having a driven a car here - and this is why my view is subjective - I think this is just what we need."

Lewis Hamilton argued complaints about Baku were a sign current drivers "moan" too much.

His Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg said it was correct that safety queries should be raised in a track's first year.

"I was definitely one of the guys who was questioning a few of the things on the track and I still do," he said.

"For example, the pit entry - it's a bit on the edge, for sure.

"It's normal, when you have a new track, you go through those things, discuss those things, and then you see if some things can be improved.

"Or if it's not necessary, it stays the same.

"Some people think about [safety] more than the others."

Rosberg, who dominated the race, emphasised that he enjoyed Baku even though it raised some question marks over safety for him.

"This track is one of the most exciting out of them all because you can't afford to switch off for even one second," he said.

"There are some corners where if you brake five metres too late you are in the wall head on.

"It's pretty exciting out there."

Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel reckoned the track was an amazing achievement given the location.

"The circuit brought a lot of criticism for being too dangerous. I disagree," he said.

"I think the FIA and people of Baku, the organisers, have done a hell of a job fitting that circuit in in a place which arguably isn't made for racing."

Additional reporting by Dieter Rencken