The build-up to the European Grand Prix has led to calls from a number of organisations, including Amnesty International, for the sport to take a stand against alleged repression in Azerbaijan.

But Ecclestone has played down the situation, and said that he has no qualms about F1 hosting a race in the country.

When asked if he felt F1 had a clear conscience about holding a race in Azerbaijan, he said: "Absolutely. 100 percent."

He added: "The minute people tell me what human rights are, you can look at how, why and when it applies. Does anyone know what human rights are?"

Government criticism

When it was put to him that journalists had been imprisoned for criticising the government, Ecclestone said: "So they should….but it depends what they write."

When asked if there had been any feedback from teams, Ecclestone said: "No. I think probably like me they would like to know what human rights are. A lot of people are starving in the world and they have something to complain about."

He added: "We listen obviously and if people have got genuine complaints there is not a lot we can do because in all fairness.

"I don't know, freedom of speech and things like that – I think you get into trouble in most countries if you are anti some government or political people. Or in fact anybody. So it is not quite as easy as that."

Ecclestone also said that if F1 avoided countries where there was corruption then there would not be many places holding events.

"I tell you what we ought to do; as far as we are concerned, not have any races where there is corruption in the country. So where are we going to be racing?"

Mad idea

Ecclestone also praised the job local organisers had done with the track, which has been labelled by Sergio Perez as the most challenging venue on the calendar.

"When I laid it out in the first place I was told I was mad. Trying to get the old city and the new city together, but it looks like it has worked out alright," he said.

"I spoke to Nico [Rosberg] this morning and I said it was going to be a ballsy circuit. Contrary to what people thought when they looked at the plans."

He added: "We just left the greatest place in the world North America – and compared to here, it is a bit of a shit hole isn't it."

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