Norbert Haug, in charge of Mercedes-Benz's formula one activities, has allayed fears the sport might move away from Germany after 2010.

The current scheme, whereby Hockenheim and the Nurburgring annually alternate hosting a single grand prix in the country, is set to end in two years time.

Organisers of this weekend's Hockenheim race expect to lose about 3 million euros, raising rumours that German circuits will soon no longer be able to afford a presence on the calendar.

But Haug told the German news agency SID: "Germany will always have a grand prix. Anything else is inconceivable."

Five of the active grand prix racers at present are German-born, while two of the involved manufacturers - Mercedes and BMW - are German.

Source: GMM