Raikkonen (left) and Alonso will renew rivalries at Silverstone

The Silverstone circuit favours cars with efficient aerodynamics - a factor intrinsic to the McLaren design.

"McLaren looked very quick so maybe they will be a little bit ahead of us," said Renault's Giancarlo Fisichella.

Team-mate Fernando Alonso said: "It's one of the races with a red cross against it on our calendar. The car hasn't done well there in the past."

McLaren have found their form after a sluggish start to the season with Kimi Raikkonen claiming an impressive second in France last weekend.

And the Woking-based team are confident after a successful test at Silverstone in June.

McLaren fired up for Silverstone

However, Renault's factory is based just 30 miles from Silverstone and Fisichella says the team have made improvements ahead of the British GP.

"We have new engine developments for Silverstone which will give us a boost," said the Italian.

We must really try hard on Friday to set up the car and be competitive if we want to be on the podium Renault's Fernando Alonso

"The car needs to have quite high levels of downforce and a strong engine and our car has both.

"We have been strong at every circuit, fighting for the podium everywhere. So we will definitely be aiming for a podium finish."

Drivers' championship leader, Alonso has claimed top spot in five races this season to spearhead Renault's resurgence.

But the Spanish 23-year-old is not predicting an easy ride as he aims to repeat last weekend's feat at Magny-Cours, where he led from start-to-finish.

"Silverstone is not a perfect place for us to be honest," said Alonso.

"We need to find some solutions this week and really try hard on Friday to set up the car and be competitive if we want to be on the podium, which at the moment I think is our maximum target."