Formula 1: Is Fernando Alonso faking engine failure as an excuse to withdraw? British Sky Sports reporter thinks so

Easter Sunday was the third time in a row he has had to retire – this time in Bahrain, when he called via radio: “Engine. Engine problem. Box now.”

“I've never driven with less engine power in my life,” he exploded afterwards, having pulled out of the race on the Sakhir circuit just as Palmer overtook him and left him in last position.

And now, Sky Sports reporter, Brit Ted Kravitz claims three on the trot is 'too much of a coincidence' and that the engine faults in the last three races were premeditated inventions on Alonso's part to enable him to return to the pits if he saw he was not going to earn any points for his team, McLaren.

“My Spanish colleagues have told me that Alonso told them once or twice that he pushes himself as hard as he can and gives 100% in every race, but that if he's not going to win points, he withdraws in the last lap,” Kravitz claims.

“In Bahrain, he pulled out in the last lap, so I'm starting to think it's true.”

The UK reporter says he has asked McLaren about it and 'naturally, they denied it', but that he is still 'convinced' Alonso fabricated his Bahrain breakdown.

“I don't have any real proof. I've asked the team and they cannot confirm, but I have a feeling that the car was going well and Fernando just went ahead with his threat,” concluded Kravitz.

He believes Alonso is faking the mechanical faults as a 'protest' and 'to put pressure on team bosses' because of the pitiful performance of his McLaren.

Alonso's fans say they 'struggle to believe that', but that if their Formula 1 hero was in fact acting in the way Kravitz claims, it would be 'completely understandable'.

A Spanish sports columnist in 20 Minutos says: “I can't believe Honda would buy that, although Honda is not exactly in a position to expect anything else, given that its work this winter has been appalling.

“It's totally unacceptable how Alonso risks his neck on every bend with impossible overtakings, and yet even the safety car whizzes past him on the straight because his McLaren just doesn't go.

“Alonso's work has been outstanding this year, and McLaren and Honda need to pull their fingers out and start working just as hard as their driver.”

Fernando Alonso has not yet commented on Kravitz's speculations, although he recently threatened to drive in an Indycar 500 event and scratch from a Grand Prix because he knew there was no point in entering.