By GMM

Mark Webber will start the British grand prix from the front row of the grid -- but the Australian has revealed he is rooting for the other guy.

After a strong Silverstone test, Heikki Kovalainen went into the race weekend a dark horse to succeed on the home turf of his McLaren teammate and crowd favourite Lewis Hamilton.

On Friday, punters could place a bet on the Finn securing his formula one breakthrough at 23 to 1 -- and Red Bull racer Webber fancied a piece of the action.

"I've put 200 quid on Heikki at 23 to 1, so I'm in good shape," he smiled, to the hilarity of journalists in the Silverstone media centre.

Pole sitter Kovalainen, 26, said he has not placed a similar bet.

"I don't do betting. I try to earn my money in a safer way," he said.

Red Bull driver Webber, meanwhile, teased reporters when it was suggested that his pace for P2 on Saturday was inspired by a light load of fuel.

"I'm stopping on lap three and after that I will have a long race, so we will go from there," the 31-year-old grinned.