By Andrew Benson BBC Sport at Silverstone

BRITISH GRAND PRIX Race starts 1300 BST Follow the action on Radio Five Live and the BBC Sport website Alonso takes pole

Jenson Button is optimistic he can finish on the podium for the first time this year after qualifying second for Sunday's British Grand Prix.

Button was third fastest in qualifying but will start from the front row behind Fernando Alonso after Kimi Raikkonen was penalised 10 places.

"I think I would be disappointed with anything less than a podium," he said.

"I still have Juan Pablo (Montoya's McLaren) behind me so it won't be easy. But I will give it a go."

Victory for Button would give the race a first home winner since 2000 when David Couthard triumphed.

However, the 25-year-old said he was already concerned about losing a place to Montoya at the start because he is on the inside of the track where there is less grip.

When you have a quick car, you can overtake easier, and for sure McLaren have a quick car here Renault driver Fernando Alonso

"Our long-run pace seems reasonable; I'm just a bit worried about starting on the dirty side of the track with Juan Pablo behind me," Button said.

"Our race pace here is better than it was at Magny-Cours last weekend so I will be looking at staying a bit closer to the Renaults and the McLarens.

"We haven't changed the car. We turned up here with a very good balance immediately. Maybe our car is just suited to this circuit.

"I still think the McLaren is the quickest car here this weekend."

Raikkonen said he was confident he could still dispute victory with title rival Alonso despite his penalty.

"It depends on what happens in the first few laps," the Finn said.

"If Alonso is able to pull away it will be difficult, but I think he will not be able to build a gap as quickly as he was able to in Magny-Cours last weekend."

Renault driver Alonso admitted that, while he was confident of victory, he still considered Raikkonen a threat.

Raikkonen finished second to Alonso in France last Sunday after a similar penalty left him 13th on the grid.

"We saw last weekend he finished second," Alonso said. "Michael (Schumacher) started 13th at Imola and in the last 10 laps we had a close fight.

"When you have a quick car, you can overtake easier, and for sure McLaren have a quick car here. Let's wait and see, but for sure he will be a problem."