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Kamui Kobayashi believes he can achieve "something special" in the British Grand Prix despite heading into the event with a five-place grid penalty.

The Sauber driver was given the punishment for colliding with Felipe Massa's Ferrari in Valencia last weekend. The incident ended Kobayashi's race - which had already been disrupted by an earlier clash with Williams driver Bruno Senna - and delayed Massa.

Kobayashi says that Sauber's improving form and his affinity with Silverstone will mean he can overcome the penalty in next weekend's grand prix. The Japanese driver finished sixth in Britain in 2010, to take what was then a career-best result.

"I'm really looking forward to this race, and my expectations are quite high," said Kobayashi.

"Silverstone is one of my favourite circuits. Our cars were always good in medium and high speed corners, but with the Sauber C31 we have also improved the performance in slow corners, which means we should have no problems with the new part of the track, which was introduced in 2010.

"Despite the fact I have to cope with a penalty, which will send me five places down the grid, I'm optimistic for this race. I believe we have the potential to achieve something special in England and I hope for a little more luck as well."

Kobayashi's team-mate Sergio Perez was more cautious in his predictions for Silverstone. Although the Mexican believes it could be possible to obtain his third podium finish of the season in Britain, he is concerned that unless he improves his recent mediocre qualifying form, he will not be able to show his pace in the race.

"In my view in Silverstone it is even more difficult to overtake than it was in Valencia, therefore qualifying is high priority on the job list," said Perez, who has started 15th for the last two races. "I need a better grid position than recently."