Vettel has fears over future of German Grand Prix

Sebastian Vettel says he fears that there will not be a German Grand Prix in the future in Formula One. F1 makes its return to Germany this weekend at Hockenheim after a two-year absence from the calendar.

Speaking in Thursday's press conference ahead of the German Grand Prix, Vettel said it would be a shame if F1 lost another race in Europe.

"It would be a shame to lose one of the classic races," he said.

"It has so much history, Germany is so well known for car manufacturers.

"(But) you have to pay money to get a grand prix. Other countries are prepared to fund the grand prix and Germany is not ready to spend money on the grand prix to advertise F1, racing and Germany to attract people coming here.

"So the view there is different from other countries and that is where the problem is. I know the people here are working very hard to get people here but it is hard for them because they have no-one backing them up from the state."

Hockenheim had been sharing hosting duties with the Nurburgring in the past but after 2016, neither circuit could afford to host a grand prix meaning Germany was dropped from the calendar.

Vettel fears that the 2018 race could be the last in the country for some time as Liberty look to expand the races elsewhere, with rumours of races in Miami and Vietnam in the near future.