SOFIA: Bulgaria is hoping to strike a deal that would allow the Balkan country to host a Formula One grand prix in 2011.

Representatives of the race organizing committee said they have received a formal invitation to the German Grand Prix on July 12 at the Nuerburgring, where they were to meet with F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone.

Some officials, however, were skeptical.

Georgi Yankulov, president of the country's Automobile Sport Federation, said he wasn't optimistic because of the difficulty of securing sponsors and building a track and other infrastructure during a global recession.