Kubica surprised by performance

The Renault driver was struggling with a lack of grip around Silverstone, but he still found the speed to make it to Q3 and qualify on the third row.

"I am bit surprised about being P6 because we were struggling quite a lot. A little with the pace and the grip and definitely we were not expecting P6," said Kubica.

He added: "It's quite a special track, and especially with the blown-diffuser it is quite difficult to get a proper balance, and unfortunately yesterday in second free practice we lost a bit of way in direction and it took some time to find a better way of setting up the car. We were not able to test the things we planned.

"We have the solutions for fixing the car balance problems for the future. For sure it depends on the track characteristics as well."

He conceded it will almost impossible for him to keep up with the fastest cars, but he is still hopeful of a good result.

"Anything can happen. The crucial points will be the start and the first lap and then pitstops," he said.

"We have seen that overtaking at Silverstone is very difficult so we will see where we will be. If we are surprised to be P6, then it is difficult for us to look more to the front.

"It will be quite a difficult race for us to keep up with the top guys, and it is not realistic, but we will try our best. Anything can happen in the race."