A decision about where next year’s German grand prix will take place is imminent, according to the SID news agency.
The Nurburgring is provisionally scheduled to host the country’s 2013 race, but amid the venue’s well-documented financial problems, it is possible Hockenheim will be asked to step in as a replacement.
"We are currently in very concrete negotiations," revealed the Nurburgring’s Jorg Lindner.
"We just had contact with Mr Ecclestone this week, and there was no indication that we should not be optimistic.
"Maybe there could be an agreement in place in Abu Dhabi," he said, referring to the scene of next weekend’s grand prix.
"And we are planning a long-term contract, not only for next year," added Lindner.