 French Gran Prix faces axe.
The French grand prix could lose its place on the 2004 world championship calendar if the promoters are unable to settle their differences with Bernie Ecclestone's formula one management company, which is still owed a reputed $10m (£6m) in unpaid fees for this year's race.
If the race, scheduled for Magny-Cours' Circuit de Nevers on July 11, is cancelled it would leave the way open for the British grand prix to be rescheduled from its current July 4 date, which clashes with the finals at both Wimbledon and Euro 2004.
"There are ongoing discussions regarding the 2004 formula one calendar, but it would be inappropriate to comment in advance of the world motorsport council meeting on December 12," said an FIA spokesman yesterday.
However, highly placed sources suggest that the governing body will scrap the French race - the oldest on the calendar - if the outstanding monies are not paid before that meeting.
It is understood that Roland Hodel, the race promoter, is engaged in talks with senior French government officials and Renault in a bid to save it.
The speculation over the French grand prix has arisen following the reinstatement of the Canadian grand prix for June 13.
The Montreal race was originally threatened with cancellation in the light of Canada's tobacco sponsorship ban, but its promoter Norman Legault raised additional finance to compensate the competing teams for running in a non-tobacco branded event.
Ecclestone clearly feels that if Montreal can resolve its problems, then the French organisers ought to do the same.
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Driving the S4 is like having a big d*ck; it's not immediately obvious to everyone, but you have to just rest assured that when it comes time to put it to use, you won't need to explain a whole lot afterwards... haha
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