Jenson Button heads to his 17th British Grand Prix this weekend with elevated spirits following his remarkable performance in Austria.
While he achieved his best finish of the year at the Red Bull Ring - with 6th place - Button isn't exactly expecting to top that result at a home race which he has never conquered over the course of his 17-year career.
"I’ve been going to Silverstone for almost as long as I can remember," Button says.
" I raced there in karts, in Formula Ford, in Formula 3 and, of course, in F1 for the last 16 years. It’s a wonderful track and the British fans are something else.
"They’ve given me unflinching support during my career, through the good times and the bad, and for that I’m hugely grateful."
The 2009 world champion is still dealing with a difficult situation at McLaren-Honda which, although it has ramped up its performance since last season, remains at a fair distance from the teams at the head of the pack.
"Of course, the result in Austria last week really motivates everybody, and it raises everyone’s expectations, too.
"It would be lovely to be able to claim that a podium this year might finally be possible, but, being realistic, that won’t be possible this time."
Regardless of the workload which remains on his team's docket, Button's performance in Austria means that any opportunities that special circumstances or luck may throw his way will be fully taken advantage of, Button's fans can count on that.
"I head to Silverstone feeling hugely encouraged by our progress, and just what we can achieve as a team when the variables are thrown into the air and all the teams are left to somewhat improvise: we can do great things.
"It goes without saying that I’ll be giving it everything at Silverstone this weekend."
On the subject of his future, and the prospect that it may be his very last British Grand Prix, Button won't be approaching his race weekend with such a frame of mind.
"There's no point thinking it might be my last as I will have to go through those emotions again if it isn't my last.
"I might get to the end of the year and think 'bugger it, I want to do another year', so I go into it looking for a good weekend, and no emotional attachments in terms of it being my last race."
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