Greystoke order

Gary Tomlinson is the top seed for this weekend’s Greystoke Stages Rally. Tomlinson, who will be co-driven by Manx championshipwinning driver Arron Newby, heads the similar Subaru Impreza of Phil and Simon Pickard, while historic aces Steve Bannister (Ford Escort Mk2) and Matthew Robinson (Fiat 131) complete the top four.

strides in its hybrid power and efficiency, it still lacks the grunt of the Mercedes and Ferrari units.

While the strong base chassis of the MP4-31 will be of benefit at a track with heavy lateral loading like Silverstone, any lack of power will be shown up on the long straights.

“We beat the Williams on sheer pace [in Austria] and I think we did a great job on strategy,” adds Button. “We really got the maximum from everything. Through every session we’d been improving; every run we did, we made the car better and better. But we have to know that we’re not headed to Silverstone expecting to be in this position.

“That [P6 in Austria] was as good as it was going to get. All the cars that finished in front of us were much quicker, so I’m amazed we kept them behind at the start. But things like traffic are tough because we don’t have the straight-line speed to overtake. In the middle of the straight other cars just tend to disappear. I can catch them at the end of the straight but in the middle they are just so strong. But it was good being back in the fight again.

“I don’t approach this British GP thinking it will be my last, there’s no point in doing that. Then I’d have to go through all those emotions again if it wasn’t and I came back with a fresh contract next season. Then again it would be a shame if this weekend was my last and I didn’t think it would be. I’m just going to go into the weekend like any other race, be excited and try to do the best job I can and try to put the emotions out of the equation.” ■