A cloud continues to hang over the future of the German Grand Prix.

The Nurburgring's woes meant that there was no race in Germany last year, and it appears unlikely that the track will be able to resume its alternation deal with the Hockenheim for 2017.

"2017 is the Nurburgring's turn," track chief Georg Seiler told DPA news agency after Hockenheim staged Germany's F1 return last weekend.

Seiler had targeted a crowd of at least 60,000 on Sunday to ensure that Hockenheim breaks even, but the final figure was just short of that, at 57,000.

"On the positive side we sold more tickets than in 2014 so the trend is right," he told Stuttgarter Nachrichten newspaper.

"We already have a contract for 2018 and will comply with it. Then we'll see.

"A lot of water will flow down the Rhine before 2019."

Concerning 2017, Seiler said "anything is possible", but only if there is no "risk" that Hockenheim will left with a bill to pay. He said that also goes for 2019 and beyond.

"Formula 1 should stay at Hockenheim, but the contract in the future must be that there is no risk," Seiler told motorsport-magazin.com.

"There are many people within the F1 supply train that make money. It cannot be that we provide the playground only for others to make money."

He said that Mercedes have already supported the circuit by way of advertising and marketing.

"I would be happy if Mercedes wants to continue with us as a Formula 1 partner. I am also thinking of all the suppliers and other companies that are also part of the overall business," added Seiler.

The 2016 championship resumes in Belgium on August 28 following its summer break.