British Grand Prix: Jenson Button resigned to more pain at Silverstone
Former world champion Jenson Button admits he is unlikely to break his British Grand Prix curse this weekend when Formula One returns to Silverstone.
Button has never finished on the podium in 15 attempts at his home race and the 35-year-old is resigned to missing out again amid a dire season for his team, who have failed to muster a finish in the last two grands prix.
“It’s a real shame,” he told City A.M. “I love the British Grand Prix, the British fans are so supportive for the British drivers, and it’s always been a tough race for me, for some reason I’ve been so unlucky.
“Every other race we’ve been to I’ve pretty much won or been on the podium. It’s so frustrating that I haven’t been able to give something back to the fans that have always been there for me.
“This year is also going to be tough. I think our aim has to be to score points this weekend. With the way things have been going with the last two races I think that’s still going to be a challenge. But I will do all I can to give the maximum of what I have in front of the home crowd.”
Button, who won his only drivers’ title in 2009, has just four points from eight races this season, while team-mate Fernando Alonso, a two-time champion, is yet to get off the mark.
Britain’s Lewis Hamilton tops the standings with 169 points, although Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg has cut his lead to just 10 points with three wins in the last four grands prix.
Practice takes place today, with qualifying tomorrow and the race on Sunday at 1pm.