Button says he loves the challenge of racing around Silverstone

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone says the British Grand Prix could be dropped unless the track at Silverstone undergoes a multi-million pound revamp.

But Honda driver Button told the BBC it was "essential" the race survived.

The Briton added: "We've had a sell-out crowd for a few years now, so it's difficult to think why we're not going to have a British Grand Prix."

Silverstone's contract to stage the British Grand Prix runs out in 2009 and Ecclestone has repeatedly warned that the Northamptonshire circuit is in danger of losing the race.

"Britain is supposed to be the heart of Formula One racing and our circuit is bottom of the list," he said.

606: DEBATE Give your reaction here

"With a tiny percentage of what the government are wasting on the Olympics, they could support Silverstone."

Silverstone's owners, the British Racing Drivers' Club, plan to spend �25m redeveloping the track, but that may not be enough to convince Ecclestone to change his opinion.

Button, though, is a big fan.

"Silverstone, for me, is a great location and a great circuit," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"From my perspective, I love racing at Silverstone. From the driver's point of view, it's a very challenging circuit."