Button: Hamilton Should Be Confident of Silverstone Victory Chances

Jenson Button believes Lewis Hamilton will arrive at the British Grand Prix confident he can secure a record-extending 10th victory at Silverstone, despite a frustrating Austrian Grand Prix. The 2009 world champion feels Hamilton extracted the maximum from the Ferrari package at the Red Bull Ring and sees cooler British temperatures playing to the Scuderia's strengths.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's Ferrari move has finally yielded a competitive car in 2026, with his Barcelona win proving he can fight for an eighth world title. A strong showing at his home race would energize his championship charge and signal that Ferrari can consistently challenge the dominant Mercedes duo of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.

The details:

• Button noted Hamilton outperformed Charles Leclerc in Austria by managing tire wear and finding pace when his teammate could not, describing it as a return of the "old Lewis."
• The former McLaren teammate highlighted Hamilton's unique ability to drive a car with an "on the nose" setup, crucial for carrying speed through Silverstone's high-speed corners and rapid changes of direction.
• Button added that while Silverstone is a power circuit, aerodynamic efficiency and corner exit speed down the straights will be decisive, areas where Ferrari has shown real progress.
• The weekend also sets up a pivotal championship battle between Russell and Antonelli, with Russell's Austrian win restoring confidence just as Antonelli's relentless consistency has made him the title favorite with five wins.

Looking ahead:

The British Grand Prix is a Sprint weekend, offering extra points and heightened stakes. If Hamilton converts his renewed confidence into a front-row start, Silverstone could host a genuine three-way fight between Hamilton, Russell, and Antonelli. Button predicts an "epic" contest, suggesting the home crowd might witness one of the most fiercely contested British GPs in recent memory.