German GP future in doubt as Ecclestone ends Nurburgring talks

The Nurburgring was supposed to host this year's event as part of an alternation plan agreed with Hockenheim, but financial problems at the venue meant there was no guarantee it could fund the race.

Following weeks of talks to try to agree terms, Ecclestone has now indicated that a deal does not look like happening.

Speaking to German publication Spiegel, Ecclestone said: "After due consideration of their proposal we believe it is regrettably not financially acceptable, so we have terminated our negotiations."

The German GP's fate may now rest on Ecclestone sorting out a deal with Hockenheim, which hosted last year's race.

Should that plan not come off, then the Formula 1 calendar could be reduced to just 18 races - with plans for a 20th event having not reached fruition.

Turkey, Austria and Portugal were all linked with that vacant slot - which has been pencilled in for July 21 - but there has been no indication of a venue getting the green light.

If Germany does not take place, then it means there will be just one race - the Hungarian GP on July 28 - between the British GP on June 30 and the Belgian GP on August 25.

2013 Formula 1 calendar

17/03 	AUS  	Grand Prix of Australia
24/03 	MYS 	Grand Prix of Malaysia
14/04 	CHN 	Grand Prix of China
21/04 	BHR 	Grand Prix of Bahrain
12/05 	ESP 	Grand Prix of Spain (Barcelona)
26/05 	MCO 	Grand Prix of Monaco
09/06 	CAN 	Grand Prix of Canada
30/06 	GBR 	Grand Prix of Great Britain
07/07 	DEU 	Grand Prix of Germany
21/07   TBA
28/07 	HUN 	Grand Prix of Hungary
25/08 	BEL 	Grand Prix of Belgium
08/09 	ITA 	Grand Prix of Italy
22/09 	SGP 	Grand Prix of Singapore
06/10 	KOR 	Grand Prix of Korea
13/10 	JPN 	Grand Prix of Japan
27/10 	IND 	Grand Prix of India
03/11 	UAE 	Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi
17/11 	USA 	Grand Prix of USA (Austin)
24/11 	BRA 	Grand Prix of Brazil