He knows McLaren are unlikely to be on the podium at the British GP, but Jenson Button admits he still "holds out hope" that one day he will be able to pay back the fans.

This year will mark Button's 16th grand prix at Silverstone, yet remarkably he has never finished in the top three at his home race, let alone win there.

With McLaren struggling at the backend of the grid this year, the 35-year-old concedes he won't end his podium drought this year, but that doesn't mean he can't dream big.

"I don't go into Silverstone thinking I might not ever finish on the podium, only when I'm asked about it. I still hold out hope," he said.

"I want to be on the podium and win in front of my home crowd. When they've been so supportive you want to repay them.

"You've got to be realistic and realise that is not possible right now, but it might be possible in the future."

Having scored the team's first points at the Monaco Grand Prix at the end of May, Button and McLaren have endured two nightmare races since as both drivers failed to see the chequered flag.

To add insult to injury, Button and Fernando Alonso were handed 25-place grid penalties in Austria last time out.

"It's never the way you want to get to the British GP after the two weekends we've had, but the reason for last weekend is I didn't want to take penalties at Silverstone," he added.

"It won't be an easy weekend but as always it will be very emotional with the British public.

"We're still not going to score big points but I do know they'll support us."

Although it has been a trying campaign for everyone at Grove, Button says they are all determined to make things right.

"I think it hurts everyone. It doesn't hurt me any more than everyone else," said Button.

"I'm one of the spokespersons for the team. I have to come across positive and confident because I've got 700 people at the factory that don't come to a grand prix and it's very difficult them to see what happens.

"I've still got one of the best jobs in the world. I'd rather be at the front right now, but still driving a Formula 1 car for a living.

"You still have difficult days and that's when you need family and good friends around you.

"We're giving everything. We're not just driving around waiting for it to get good.

"It's our home grand prix and we want to have a good result. I think the parts we get for Silverstone (will) end up balancing everything out so I'm looking forward to it.

"I think our car will be better there. The straights will be better – you carry speed on."