Hockenheim says no 2017 contract yet, Portugal eyes F1 return

Track boss Georg Seiler says Hockenheim does not yet have a contract to host the German grand prix in 2017.

Earlier this week, the FIA published a race calendar for next year featuring a provisional race date for the track.

It is rumoured Bernie Ecclestone could become the semi-promoter of the race, taking ticket receipts in exchange for a lower race fee.

Hockenheim chief Seiler said clarity in the situation will take "a few weeks", but insisting that he will not accept the situation where the track could make "a loss".

"At the moment we do not have a contract for 2017," he told the German news agency SID.

Meanwhile Portugal could bid to return to the F1 calendar.

The country held 13 consecutive grands prix at Estoril from 1984, and now Portimao politician Isilda Gomes reportedly said: "It’s time to think about formula one again."

And prime minister Antonio Costa was also quoted by the Spanish sports daily Marca as saying F1 back in Portugal would be "very exciting."