Drivers sad to see Silverstone go

On the eve of this weekend's event at the Northamptonshire venue, where the Brawn driver starts as favourite following six victories from seven races, Button revealed that the circuit was close to his heart.

"This is a circuit that I love," said Button. "It is a fantastic, fast flowing circuit like Spa and Suzuka. It is one of the true greats and it has been for the last few decades. It is a pity it won't be on the calendar next year.

"I think a lot of drivers will agree with me and a lot of fans will agree also. I just hope we have a British Grand Prix next year as it means a lot to us."

Double world champion Fernando Alonso agreed, adding that it was the way of modern F1.

"I think we will all miss Silverstone," he said. "It is a great circuit with a lot of Formula 1 history here, and with legends winning here.

"So we all will miss it because it is a nice track and we like driving here, but it is the way it is. We lost Imola, Magny-Cours, Montreal, and now we are going to new countries like Abu Dhabi, China, Singapore, so it is the way Formula 1 has been going, in that direction, for the last couple of years, so it is a shame.

"We will miss it for sure but Donington will be a new challenge for everybody and hopefully we will enjoy that as well."

BMW driver Robert Kubica added that he would 'miss the challenge' of one of F1's fastest tracks while Mark Webber rated it among his top three circuits on the calendar.

"It's definitely in the top three," said Webber. "Suzuka's first sector is pretty exhilarating as well, Spa is very good and then there's here.

"I have done a lot of work here. I've raced in Formula Ford, Formula 3, F3000, sportscars and Formula 1 and it's a track I know well. It's a sensational circuit. To drive a Formula 1 car here is incredible. So it's a very, very enjoyable track to drive and there's no-one in the pitlane that doesn't say that."

Button added that while he would mourn Silverstone's loss from the calendar he couldn't countenance the thought of losing the British Grand Prix altogether.

"It is a very special race," he said. "It is your home grand prix, so it is always going to be very special. But also the British fans are fantastic. There are so many fans in Britain for motorsport and for Formula 1.

"Last year was a sell out crowd and I am guessing it will be the same this year and you don't get that in many circuits around the world, especially the way the economy is at the moment. Hopefully we can put a good show on for them this weekend."