Button's Battle of Britain

Jenson Button once had a reputation for being a party animal, but on Wednesday night - while other drivers reveled in London - the world championship leader was snuggled up in his motorhome, parked at an empty Silverstone.

Being Button's, though, it's not just any motorhome. It's got personality. It's huge, it's metallic red, and it has flames painted down the side. It looks like it should have music pumping out of its mirrored windows, and disco lights ablaze. But it's quiet, with just the distant sound of generators as the teams erect their garages. Jenson is after an early night and wants no distractions ahead of his home race.

Previously, his best result at the British Grand Prix was fourth for Honda in 2004. But now, with the lightening-quick Brawn car, expectations are much higher.

Button will be keen to shirk that pressure. His coolness in such situations, though, and his easy-going manner with the demanding media has been characteristic of the 29 year-old, who has matured after a few years in the shadows. If he is feeling the eyes of the world upon him, he isn't showing it. He's scored an incredible six wins and one third place from seven starts this year.

"To be leading the championship going into my home grand prix is something that I've never experienced before and it puts a smile on my face every time I think about it," Button said. "If we come away with a good result, I'll be so happy on Sunday!"

Legendary drivers like Nigel Mansell have come forward with plaudits. "The great thing is that he had served a very long apprenticeship and now it's coming together," said Mansell. "He's more focused than I have ever seen him and better than ever as well."

Mansell competed in F1 for 13 years before he won his one and only title, in 1992. Likewise, Button has raced for a decade with little to show for it but disappointment. Until now.

Unless a miracle occurs, this is likely to be Formula One's last visit to Silverstone for a while. Possibly ever. From 2010 the race will visit Donington - provided the finance is in place and the works is completed.

Memories of Silverstone - which was the first circuit to hold a world championship race, in 1950 - are most vivid when an Englishman has taken the chequered flag. 'Mansell Mania' was first seen in 1986, when the mustachioed Brummie pulled an audacious move to overtake triple world champion and sworn enemy Nelson Piquet. The crowd flooded the track when Mansell returned to the passing spot after the race to kiss the ground. In 1994 Damon Hill caused similar celebration with his win, while last year Lewis Hamilton drove the best race of his career to date, beating his rivals in the wet by 68 seconds.

Twelve months on the situation is very different for Hamilton. Stuck in a car which is struggling to qualify in the top ten, it could be a painful weekend for the reigning champ. But he's had four months to get used to the new world order, and being lapped by Button.

Jenson may find his greatest threat on Sunday comes from his team mate. Rubens Barrichello is fighting any sense that he might now be the Brawn team's de-facto number two, after failing to score a point in Turkey two weeks ago. His victory at Silverstone in 2003 is the highlight of his 17 year F1 career so far, when he passed Kimi Raikkonen around the outside of Bridge corner for the lead and proved he was much more than Michael Schumacher's rear gunner. Last year he finished third in a car that had no business being up there. So, it's fair to say, Rubens is a Silverstone master.

Button and Barrichello have a great off-track relationship, but on it they are fiercely competitive. Whoever is driving the winning car, if it's a Brawn that crosses the line first there will be celebration at the team's factory, located just a couple of miles away in Brackley - a factory which so nearly closed down over the winter.