By Phil Huff
July 6 2007

Honda Racing F1's Jenson Button always looks forward to the British Grand Prix, with the team being based just a few miles away in Brackley. While Silverstone frequently comes in for a kicking from Bernie Ecclestone, nobody can deny the atmosphere at the circuit is something special, and that's not lost on the drivers, either.

"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," says Jenson. "I love this high-speed circuit with the very quick change of direction and there are great corners like Becketts and Stowe.

"It's still a big challenge for F1 drivers today, especially parts like Becketts," he explains. "It's a very difficult complex and also one that reminds you how quick a Formula One car is and how special it is to be driving in F1. You can't help but exit that complex with a big smile on your face! It still gives me and all the other drivers such a great buzz."

Silverstone offers few overtaking places, thanks mainly due the aerodynamic influences of modern Formula One cars, but those that do exist reward the drivers, and the fans, with some spectacular opportunities.

"There are some good overtaking possibilities and because it's such a high-speed circuit, when they do happen it's such a big move," adds Button. "Silverstone reminds me of the old days in racing in the 50s and 60s, when you didn't have any slow corners, even though the last two corners are pretty slow. Silverstone is one of the best circuits in the world and for me it always will be."

With an anticipated 200,000 fans arriving at Silverstone over the Grand Prix weekend, and countless more corporate visitors attending, the airfield circuit positively buzzes throughout the three day event, and through the night at the camping sites close by.

"The whole weekend at Silverstone is special and you can't underestimate the boost that a home crowd gives you," says Jenson. "This year there are four British drivers to please the fans and that is just fantastic for British motor sport. 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."

Jenson won't be driving through the gates too often this year, as he's joining David Coulthard and Nico Rosberg in staying within the circuit in his swish motorhome, described by himself as a bit 'gin palace'.

With his first point of 2007 turning up I France just a few days ago, Button is confident of continuing the upward trend in Silverstone, saying "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."

We hope so too, Jenson.