The British Grand Prix looks set to be axed from next season's Formula One world championship, a source at the FIA, the sport's governing body, told AFP in Paris today.
The decision to scrap the race, set for July 7th 2002 at Silverstone, from the 17-round series will be taken at the FIA's world council meeting on December 14th.
The decision has been sparked by fears over the poor access to the circuit, 70 miles north of London, where the race has been dogged by problems in recent years.
However, the source added that the race could return to the calendar in 2003 if work on the track is completed.
The future of the race has been clouded in doubt ever since the provisional schedule for the 2002 season was announced in October.
The FIA World Motor Sport Council pencilled in the race for July 7th, but the go-ahead depended on the outcome of an inquiry being held into the traffic chaos which has dogged the event for the last two years.
In 2000, when the race was moved from its traditional summer date to April, many spectators never made it to the track as they became stuck in marathon traffic jams.
Those who did make it through spent the weekend battling through mud and rain after torrential downpours had decimated the weekend.
The race was moved back to a summer date this year, but the traffic and access problems were still present.
As a result, the British Motor Sports Association instigated an inquiry into the matter.
Silverstone has staged 35 British Grand Prix since 1950.
AFP