Teammate poses threat to Button’s home win
Barrichello (L) and Button (R) |
(GMM) While Jenson Button arrives at his home grand prix with six wins from seven races in the bag, some regard the occupant of the sister Brawn as the favorite for British grand prix victory.
"He is always extremely strong at Silverstone, I think because of his early career when a lot of time was spent here," team boss Ross Brawn said of Rubens Barrichello.
The Brazilian veteran worked with Brawn for six years at Ferrari, and in 2003 Barrichello won the British grand prix.
"It's not a track that's particularly sensitive to brakes, and that's an area that often he finds quite critical on the car, so I expect him to go very well this weekend," added Brawn.
Barrichello is also desperate to start winning races with the 2009 Brawn, which alongside the Ferraris of 2002 and 2004 must rate as arguably the best car of his long career.
He clarifies that he will have no qualms about taking victory at Silverstone in front of Button's countrymen.
"At the end of the day, after 17 years, there is no emotional side to this," Barrichello insisted.
"If you ask Jenson, although we get on well, he would say the same thing. He would win in Brazil without thinking twice," he added.
Before Monaco last month, Button played down the meaning of winning the prestigious street race, but in the build-up to Silverstone, even the Briton has not been able to hide his desire to win his home race.
But he also acknowledges the threat posed by his teammate. "Rubens is going to be a big challenger everywhere we go to. It's the way it is," said Button.
"If he beats me, he beats me. If I can win the world championship this season and I don't win at Silverstone, I am not going to be disappointed," he added.