Jenson Button today added his voice to those calling for Silverstone to be allowed to save the British Grand Prix, saying it would be "devastating" if he was unable to race in front of his home fans next year.

The new world champion spoke out after Bernie Ecclestone confirmed that Donington had lost a 17-year contract to host Britain's round of the title chase, which would have started in 2010.

Donington promoter Simon Gillett had tried desperately to deliver on his promise to find the £135million necessary to build a state-of-the-art venue. But speaking ahead of Sunday's inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Formula One supremo Ecclestone said: "They've missed the deadline, which we kept extending for them.

"It's unfortunate for them, to be honest with you. It was the credit crunch that caused them to be in trouble because their intentions were good."

Ecclestone is now in talks with Silverstone, which has hosted the British Grand Prix since 1987.

But the British Racing Drivers' Club, which owns the track, are baulking at paying a licence fee of £12m which, it is understood, would increase each year by a sum way above inflation.

The big fear, shared by Button, is that Silverstone will be unable to reach an agreement with Ecclestone, meaning the Grand Prix will be scrubbed from the 2010 calendar.

Ecclestone made it clear what is at stake. He said: "I want a British Grand Prix, of course, but we are not going to do special rates for Britain.

"If they can't make it work, then don't do it. If that happens, there won't be a British Grand Prix. Simple as that."

Button admitted: "Donington would have been a challenge, it would have been exciting. Now it's not going to happen but we have a very impressive circuit to fall back on which is Silverstone. It would be devastating if we didn't have a British Grand Prix and Lewis Hamilton and I will do as much as we can to make sure there is a British Grand Prix.

"There was a sell-out crowd this year and while there wasn't a British driver anywhere near the podium the atmosphere was electric.

"You can't get away from the fact there's an awful lot of British people involved in Formula One and there has been for many years. There are a lot of Formula One teams that are British including my team, Brawn GP, that have been very successful.

"I don't know the fine details, that's for Silverstone and Bernie to discuss, but I can't imagine not having a British Grand Prix."

Should the race go ahead next summer, it is still unclear what car Button will be driving at Silverstone. Seeking a £5m rise on his £3m salary, the 29-year-old said talks on a new deal with team owner Ross Brawn had begun.

He did reveal, however, that a number of Brawn's rivals, thought to include McLaren and Toyota, are waiting in the wings with offers.

"I've been approached by teams in Formula One but I can't talk about who or what's been said because that's confidential," he said.