On Friday 21st November, it was announced that the French Grand Prix would not take place next year. The event had a provisional date of 11th July, pending resolution of contractual problems, but the local council of the Nievre region in France, which runs the Magny-Cours circuit said it had been unable to come up with funding to pay off past debts.
As there were already 18 races on the 2004 calendar, it is unlikely to be replaced and it seems that the organisers of the British GP, currently scheduled for 4th July, will ask to take over the French slot, as the original Silverstone date clashed with the Wimbledon tennis finals and the final of the European Football Championship.
If the British race is moved, it will create another break in the calendar, with Silverstone hosting a race three weeks after the United States GP on 20th June.