Button's points target

Honda man hoping for brighter future, but still setting points goal.

Last updated: 2nd July 2008

Button's points target

Button: Silverstone fan

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Jenson Button admits his British Grand Prix ambitions are limited to just trying to get his struggling Honda into the points at Silverstone.

Button's up-and-down career had an early highlight when he unexpectedly grabbed fifth place on his Silverstone debut in 2000 - which is still now his best result in the race.

Button would love to be up there challenging for a place on the podium but knows his Honda is not yet up to the task, although it is an improvement on last year's model.

Always a huge fan of racing in front of his home fans, Button says that getting into the points is his big target for the weekend.

"There's always a great atmosphere there, so it's always a very special event for all the British drivers," added Button.

"I certainly feel I've a better chance of scoring a point this year compared to last year, in fact the last two years there have been pretty tough.

"I had a problem with the engine in 2006, and then last year we basically just weren't quick enough, so this year I just want to get some points at my home Grand Prix."

Points

Honda are hoping that big changes in regulations next year will help them become more competitive, but Button is still looking to press for points this season.

"You always want to do well in your home Grand Prix, and we might get some points, which will be a big bonus," remarked Button.

"But I think I'm going to have to leave it to Lewis (Hamilton) to fight for the victory!

"So yeah, we have to look further ahead, although we also need to think about now and look at where I and the team can improve.

"We're still not going to give up. It's still important to keep pushing now.

"There's no use just sitting back and waiting for next year. I'm going to look at things that are happening at this moment in time."

Button is hoping his home fans at Silverstone realise that he cannot push his car any harder, and will have to settle for scrapping in the midfield pack.

"I'm sure they do understand," assessed Button.

"For sure last year was tough, and this year has been frustrating more than anything else, but I'm in a happy place, a good place at the moment.

"Hopefully the fans aren't too frustrated because I feel pretty happy with the situation."

Still, despite not being amongst the top guns this year, Button still has fond memories of his early Silverstone experiences.

"It was spectacular, a great weekend," enthused Button of his fifth-placed finish in 2000.

"Unfortunately, towards the end of the race I picked up a miss-fire and the engine was only running on nine cylinders, and yet I still came home fifth.

"With DC winning, the atmosphere was pretty electric, so that is still my best British Grand Prix.

"There was also 2005 as I was on the front row of the grid. Kimi (Raikkonen) had a problem and had to start further back, so I took up second, even though I had qualified third.

"Even though I didn't get a podium that day (he was fifth), to be on the front row was a great feeling, seeing the crowd cheering as I came up to the start line."