BUDAPEST, Aug 2, 2008 (AFP) - Two-time World Champion Spaniard Fernando Alonso believes he will have a difficult Hungarian Grand Prix despite qualifying in seventh place.

Following a tight qualifying session which saw he and team-mate Nelson Piquet reach Q3, the Renault driver thinks he will have his work cut out if he is to retain his grid position.

Alonso said: "We knew that the qualifying session would be very close and that proved to be the case.

"The first part was very competitive, but we managed to reach Q3 with both cars, which is positive. But I think the race tomorrow will be difficult, that´s for sure.

"I will try and do my best to be on the pace and hopefully score some points."

Meanwhile, after a maiden podium last time out fellow Renault driver Brazilian Nelsinho Piquet continued to impress by qualifying in the top ten for the third time in four races.

Piquet said: "The session was very competitive and more difficult than I though it would be, in the end I managed to reach Q3 and I am happy about that.

It means we can approach the race sensibly tomorrow and I hope we can make the most of this grid position to score some points."