The fate of this year's German grand prix remains dim, as local reports suggest Bernie Ecclestone has now written off the scheduled July race.

Amid the Nurburgring's ownership troubles and Hockenheim not agreeing a replacement deal for 2015, the Rhein Zeitung newspaper on Monday quoted F1 supremo Ecclestone as saying: "I'm as sad as the fans that there will be no formula one race in Germany."

But the 84-year-old backpedalled slightly in the hours after the publication of the report, with the major daily Bild quoting the Briton as saying: "We are trying to save it, but it does not look good."

(GMM)