Representatives of the town of Hockenheim are to hold talks with Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone on May 20 to determine whether the sport still has a future at the Hockenheimring.

The German Grand Prix currently alternates between the Hockenheimring and the Nurburgring, but Hockenheim expects to make a loss of up to six million euros by staging the event in 2010 and has asked for support from the Baden-Wurttemberg region to secure the event's future.

State Minister Gunther Oettinger is also due to take part in the meeting and Hockenheim Mayor Dieter Gummer is hoping he can deliver some good news. Gummer said: "We need a decision by this summer because the race must be planned and the town's budget must be drawn up."