McLaren Formula One driver Fernando Alonso of Spain (L) listens to a member of his team during the second practice session for the U.S. F1 Grand Prix in Indianapolis, June 15, 2007. (Xinhua/Reuters, File Photo)

    PARIS, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Hoping to win his third straight Formula One title, Fernando Alonso of Spain suffered a lot at the French Grand Prix on Sunday.

    The Spaniard finished seventh to fall further behind McLaren teammate Lewis Hamilton.

    Briton Hamilton leads the overall standings with 64 points after coming third, 14 more than Alonso.

    Alonso who started from 10th place, moved up to seventh, but spent the next 30 laps trying to pass BMW's Nick Heidfeld. He passed Heidfeld on the 34th lap, but Heidfeld regained the advantage after a pit stop.

    "The fights with Fernando were a lot of fun," Heidfeld said. "At times I had to defend hard, but I think from both sides it was fair play."

    "The fight with Nick was fun, but it was a lot of hard work," Alonso said. "We knew it would be difficult starting 10th with a fuel strategy that was originally aiming for a top-three grid position."

    Alonso was plagued by problems on Saturday when he had a problem with a brake sensor in the morning practice, then his gearbox blew on his first lap in the final qualifying session to put him 10th on the grid.

    "I am contesting the world championship, so I had to do whatever I could today and was not worried about the risks," Alonso said. "It is a disappointing result but we will have to look to improve next week."

    The British GP is next Sunday at Silverstone.