SILVERSTONE, England — Former Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button believes Mercedes will not have an easy path to victory at the British Grand Prix despite the team’s impressive form this season, predicting a closely fought contest with Ferrari at Silverstone.
Mercedes has emerged as the benchmark team through much of the 2026 campaign, suffering defeat in only one Sprint race and one Grand Prix. However, Button expects the competitive gap to narrow on one of Formula 1’s fastest circuits.
“You have Lewis and George, who both could fight for a win,” Button said in an interview organized by ticket marketplace viagogo.
“I don’t think Mercedes can have it all their own way.”
Button believes Ferrari’s strengths through Silverstone’s sweeping high-speed corners could make the Italian team a genuine threat, although warmer conditions may once again expose its tire degradation issues.
“The Ferrari is very good in high-speed corners, change of direction,” Button said.
“It is going to be hot, which is their only downfall, because they deg off, it seems, more than other teams, from what we saw in Austria.”
Hamilton claimed his first Ferrari victory in Barcelona earlier this season but endured a far more difficult weekend in Austria as soaring track temperatures amplified the team’s tire management problems.
Even so, Button expects the seven-time world champion to be among the frontrunners on a circuit where he has enjoyed remarkable success throughout his career.
“But Lewis is exceptional around Silverstone,” Button said.
“So I expect we’re gonna have a couple of Brits fighting there at the front with Kimi, and hopefully Charles will be there as well.”
Button also highlighted the importance of George Russell’s victory in Austria, which halted teammate Kimi Antonelli’s recent momentum and reignited Russell’s championship challenge.
Antonelli’s remarkable rookie campaign had allowed the Italian to build a 40-point advantage over Russell before the Austrian Grand Prix.
Button admitted he was surprised by Russell’s difficult start to the season.
“He’s a phenomenal driver,” Button said.
“I was a bit surprised at how difficult it was for him at the start of the year.”
Initially attributing Antonelli’s early advantage partly to misfortune on Russell’s side, Button said the consistency of the young Italian’s performances has proven that the championship leader’s position is no accident.
“When it’s five races in a row that he wins, you understand it’s not all luck,” Button said.
“Kimi’s doing an extraordinary job.”
Button believes Antonelli’s emergence has created an especially demanding situation for Russell, who entered the season expecting to lead Mercedes’ title challenge as the more experienced driver.
“It’s difficult when you’re the more experienced driver in the team,” Button said.
“You felt like this was your year to fight for that World Championship, and suddenly a 19-year-old is 40 points in the lead.”
For that reason, Button views Russell’s Austrian victory as arriving at the perfect moment ahead of his home race.
“I think the weekend for George was really important,” Button said.
“To win in Austria, coming into the British Grand Prix, in front of his home fans, a race that he wants to win.”
He described victory at Silverstone as one of the defining achievements for any British Formula 1 driver.
“This is like winning a world championship for a driver, winning the British Grand Prix,” Button said.
“I think with the confidence he has, he’s got every opportunity to do that.”
Button also dismissed suggestions that Russell could be psychologically affected by Antonelli’s breakthrough season.
“There’s nothing in the back of his mind thinking, ‘Kimi’s quicker than me,'” Button said.
“He’s very strong mentally.”
“I think that after such a good race in Austria, all the pieces of the puzzle are together, and he’s ready to rock.”
