Bernie Ecclestone has suggested that the uncertainty over the future of Monza's Formula 1 race could continue to drag.

Reports suggested that political and bureaucratic progress was made in the last couple of weeks over the expiring Italian Grand Prix deal, but F1 supremo Ecclestone is not as optimistic.

"This year the race is [happening] for sure but for the next few years I don't know," the 85-year-old was quoted as saying by Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport at Sochi.

"We have talked about it but they are Italian, so we will probably know something on the Thursday before the race," he joked.

Ecclestone said that he is more optimistic about the rest of the 2016 season, even though he caused a stir early this year by saying he wouldn't bother buying tickets.

"I am satisfied and I think it's much better than last year," said the Briton. "More interesting.

"Now we have [Lewis] Hamilton and [Sebastian] Vettel in the role of chasers. Ferrari? There are still a lot of races, so I think we need to wait before we judge them."

The 2016 season continues in two weeks' time with the Spanish Grand Prix.