If someone had to ask Nelson Piquet as to how his debut season had progressed up until Sunday's French Grand Prix, the answer would have been simple - a difficult one. He had a string of disappointing performances that prompted the media to question his future with the Renault F1 team. However, after scoring his first points at Magny-Cours, and beating team mate Fernando Alonso, Piquet can see his fortunes on the rise.

The Brazilian narrowly missed reaching Q3 in qualifying, but was ninth on the grid thanks to penalties incurred by other drivers. Despite a heavy fuel load, he made up one place at the start of the race and was, therafter, able to hold of the silver McLarens in the early stages. Towards the end of the race he took advantage of damp conditions to pass Alonso for seventh.

"It's the first time that everything has gone without any problems for me," said Piquet. "The car and the team's strategy worked well and I was able to score my first couple of points. I am happy and I hope that we can continue like this for the rest of the season."

Piquet admitted that his first points could have come sooner, but insisted that he had never lost faith in his abilities. "There was pressure, of couse, but I never let it turn into something negative," he told Renault's official blog. "I know what I am capable of, and I never doubted that I would have the chance to finish in the top eight. For me, the result today is just the first step."

Renault boss Flavio Briatore was also quick to praise his rookie driver, who helped the team to their first double points finish of 2008: "Nelson had a remarkable race, very consistent and aggressive, and I am very pleased to see him score his first points."

Piquet's French success leaves the two Force India drivers, Giancarlo Fisichella and Adrian Sutil, as the only men yet to score this season.