Fernando Alonso has had a rough time of it over the last few years.After the calamitous partnership with Honda, though, Mclaren were optimistic that they had turned a corner this season.Since the first day of testing, however, that optimism has appeared a little misplaced.After multiple crashes and mechanical issues in Barcelona, Alonso ended the last day with the shock third fastest time of the winter.His 1.17.784 putting him behind only Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari.If that time indicated McLaren might be the ‘best of the rest’ in Melbourne this weekend, then they’ve fallen woefully short of those ambitions.Both drivers failed to get into Q3, by virtue of a Bottas penalty, though, both will start a place higher at 10 and 11 respectively.Their disappointing performance caused tensions to bubble to the surface once again, with Alonso frustrated at his lack of running towards the end of FP3.“I mean what a disaster. Waiting in the garage and no launch, I want to get the car out on the track, you know. I don’t know what we are doing.”You can listen to Alonso's outburst on the team radio below.

If Alonso’s tempers are flaring before the season has even begun, then is doesn’t bode well for the Spaniard’s future in the sport moving forwards.

It is to be stressed, though, that whilst this is a setback for McLaren, they are confident that they will only improve from here on out, as they adjust to the new Renault engine in their car.

F1 fans around the world will be hoping that their belief is well placed, in the hope that it’ll allow them to see the F1 legend that little bit longer.

He may not be everyone's number one driver, but most F1 fans certainly have a soft spot for Alonso.