Indeed, Button’s performance in France proved easily both his and the team’s best of the season, the Brit using a good start, coupled to a successful fuel strategy, to sneak into the points positions.
“The British Grand Prix is always special for a British driver and although we are a Japanese team, we are based just down the road from Silverstone in Brackley. We took a step forward with the performance of our car at the French Grand Prix last weekend, so we are now making progress and I hope that we can have a good race at Silverstone and be challenging for a point or two.
However, for the first time in a while Button will not be going to Silverstone as the big centre of attention, his disappointing start of the season diverting all the attention away from him to Hamilton. It is a sharp switch from limelight to supporting role, but Button is nonetheless excited to be returning to his home race and to soak up the atmosphere.
“The whole weekend at Silverstone is special and you can’t underestimate the boost that a home crowd gives you. This year there are four British drivers to please the fans and that is just fantastic for British motorsport. You don’t perform any differently because that is down to the driver but you do get a buzz throughout the whole weekend - just driving through the gates every day, seeing all those flags in the grandstand and all the additional events we take part in. It’s such a special feeling in my heart because it’s my home; it’s where I’m from.”
The scene of one of his finest performances back in 2003,
Rubens Barrichello is also relishing the return to
Silverstone, not least because it is also Honda’s spiritual home circuit. Although a somewhat out of sorts Barrichello’s was rather overshadowed by Button in France, his team-mates performance fills him with confidence nonetheless.
