Jenson Button feels his Honda career is on the decline simply because the team has stood still.

Despite dismissing the suggestion this weekend was one of his worst in Formula One, it is hard to recall many that have been so bitterly disappointing for the Briton.

On his home turf at Silverstone, Button's British Grand Prix ended on lap ten with an oil fire that saw him spin into the gravel at Priory.

The 26-year-old was running in 12th at the time having made up seven places from his worst qualifying display for three years in starting 19th following a blunder.

After finishing fourth and third in the opening two races, and then qualifying on pole in the third grand prix in Australia, Button has mustered just five points from the last six events.

For a team that had high hopes of winning a race this season, they are miserably off the pace, with further evidence provided by the fact team-mate Rubens Barrichello started sixth, but finished tenth.

Button is not anticipating too much of an improvement either in the back-to-back races in Canada and the United States in a fortnight's time.

When it was suggested to Button Honda are on the decline and would he refute otherwise, he replied: "No I wouldn't.

"We are not as strong as we were at the start of the season, and a lot of that is because the top teams have developed and we haven't. That's a fact.

"There are many areas we need to improve in, but we know that. Over a season little bits and little bits make a big difference. We haven't had that.

"We need to get the best out of the car, and we haven't done that. It's not quick enough to win races, nor challenge Renault or Ferrari.

"But we haven't seen the best of it yet. We will improve the car, but it's going to take time. It's not going to be a massive step forward.

"We have a few little improvements coming, but nothing that is going to move us forward to those teams."

In attempting to find a positive, Button added: "If we were slow it would be a massive issue, but we're not that slow.

"We've just been so unlucky and things have gone wrong. This is the third failure that has taken us out of a race.

"We have to sit down and discuss where we go from here, so when we get to Canada we are positive."

At least Button knows he remains enormously popular with the British fans, despite this latest failure to blight his career.

Team boss Nick Fry said Button "was close to tears" after making his way back to the garage due to the support he received.

"Walking back to the pits it was quite emotional," recalled Button.

"Hearing the crowd screaming and waving flags was an amazing feeling, and you don't forget that.

"I have to say a big 'thanks' to the fans because it has been a tough weekend.

"It's definitely not been one of the worst. I'm with a team that I believe in, and I'm at the top of my game, but those fans definitely lifted me walking back in."

Button, though, spurned the opportunity to drown his sorrows, adding: "At one point I threw my gloves into the crowd.

"In return I was offered a bottle of champagne. That was nice but I'm not a big fan of champagne."