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Jenson Button
Lovely bubbly: Jenson Button is out to maintain his remarkable run by winning the British Grand Prix

Jenson Button focused on rewarding his fans

Andrew Hodgson
11 Jun 2009


Jenson Button has dismissed all talk of signing a new big-money deal with Brawn as he concentrates on rewarding his loyal British fans by winning his home grand prix.

Button, who has so far blown all the opposition out of the water with six victories in the opening seven races, believes that winning on home soil would even surpass the euphoria of victory in Monaco.

He has experienced a succession of dismal performances at Silverstone but intends to put that right in what would be a fitting British Grand Prix finale at the Northamptonshire circuit.

Silverstone is scheduled to lose the race to Donington, although there is some doubt that the new venue will be ready for next year.

But Button, leading the world championship title race in what has turned into a fairytale season, believes he owes his supporters for their unflinching support at Silverstone when many critics were writing him off as a Formula One flop.

He said: "I'd love to win in Britain. It's everyone's dream to win their home grand prix. Monaco is always very special for any driver but to win your home grand prix, in front of the home crowd, would be fantastic.

"Over the years, I've not had a competitive car but I've still had the support. It's a bit embarrassing, finishing 13th or 14th and still getting support from your fans, but it's a nice feeling.

"And arriving here this year, whatever happens, I'll be leading the championship so it's going to be a great feeling and, hopefully, we can have a great race.

"I've never been on the podium in England, so that has got to be the aim."

Button says he doesn't feel any more pressure racing in Britain than anywhere else in the world as he bids to become Britain's second successive F1 world champion, following Lewis Hamilton's sensational achievement last year.

He said: "I put enough pressure on myself to perform. I know what's going on with this team and I know exactly how well I can do with this team. I don't feel any outside pressure at all.

"Lewis did a fantastic job last year. He became world champion, which is stunning. In a way it was probably good for our team and myself because having another British driver doing very well meant that we didn't have much attention on us and we could just get on with our job and try to improve the situation."

Button's Brawn team, who took over from Honda when the Japanese manufacturer pulled out of the sport, have impressed everyone with the speed and reliability of their car but the British star is not surprised.

He said: "We knew we had a competitive car. We didn't know how good but with the Mercedes Benz engine in the car, it was working very well.

"The best bit about it was the reliability of everything. Despite not testing in the winter, we'd not only built a quick car but also a reliable car and that has been the key this season. We are working really hard, it's not just a walk in the park for us - which some people might think. If you look at every race that we've had, except maybe Australia, there has been a car that has been as competitive."

Button's success this season has led to speculation that Brawn have offered him a new deal to keep him at the team for the rest of his career.

But he said: "The team haven't offered me anything. We haven't talked about anything. That's not on the cards. I'm not interested in talking about money with this team, any team or anything. At this moment in time I can't take my eye off the ball, I've got to be totally focused."

* A full version of this exclusive interview with Jenson Button appears in the relaunched Sport Magazine which will be available at tube and mainline stations across London tomorrow

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