Fernando Alonso has criticised McLaren on the eve of the first Grand Prix of the season, fuelling further speculation that all is not well between the team and the two-time world champion.

Alonso has been linked with a McLaren exit at the end of the season, with a possible Mercedes seat opening up as Valtteri Bottas is only tied down for one year. The 35-year-old has cut a disgruntled figure in pre-season testing, with the team suffering from repeated reliability failures, and despite an improved showing to qualify 13th for Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix, Alonso called on the team to make a quick improvement.

"I expect a big change in the team, a big reaction," Alonso said after qualifying. "We will not be 13th all season, or I will not be.

He added: "It's not enough. We are McLaren-Honda. If we are not in the top five, on the podium, the rest is losing time."

McLaren have concerns over the Honda power unit and its ability to challenge at the front of the field, given there has been little improvement during its two-year partnership with the British team. It’s led to suggestions that the Woking-based outfit are considering a switch back to Mercedes engines in the future, but Honda F1 boss Yusuke Hasegawa stressed that they are looking to add improvements as quickly as possible.

"After the winter test we are having strong pressure from the team and the driver, but we try to keep improving,” Hasegawa said.

"We didn't do a great job. So we need to do that.

"I cannot guarantee when we will get more power but as soon as possible we try to introduce a new specification for that."

Australian Grand Prix 2017 - in pictures Show all 29 1 /29 Australian Grand Prix 2017 - in pictures Australian Grand Prix 2017 - in pictures Australian Grand Prix Winner Ferrari's German driver Sebastian Vettel (R) and runner-up Mercedes's British driver Lewis Hamilton (L) take part in a press conference after the Formula One Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne Getty Australian Grand Prix 2017 - in pictures Australian Grand Prix Vettel celebrates winning in Melbourne. Getty Australian Grand Prix 2017 - in pictures Australian Grand Prix Vettel clinched the 43rd victory of his career. Getty Australian Grand Prix 2017 - in pictures Australian Grand Prix Hamilton and Vettel embrace after the Grand Prix. Getty Australian Grand Prix 2017 - in pictures Australian Grand Prix Vettel arrives in parc ferme after winning the race. EPA Australian Grand Prix 2017 - in pictures Australian Grand Prix Vettel crosses the line to win the Australian Grand Prix. Getty Australian Grand Prix 2017 - in pictures Australian Grand Prix Fernando Alonso's dogged drive to remain ahead of Nico Hulkenberg and Esteban Ocon was ended after suspected suspension failure Getty Australian Grand Prix 2017 - in pictures Australian Grand Prix Hamilton led Vettel until the pit stops when the Ferrari driver leapfrogged his Mercedes rival. Getty Australian Grand Prix 2017 - in pictures Australian Grand Prix Marcus Ericsson and Kevin Magnussen collide at the third corner in Melbourne Getty Australian Grand Prix 2017 - in pictures Australian Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton led from the start as Sebastian Vettel fended off Valtteri Bottas Getty Australian Grand Prix 2017 - in pictures Saturday Qualifying Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton speak during the post-qualifying press conference Getty Australian Grand Prix 2017 - in pictures Saturday Qualifying Lewis Hamilton is given a lift down the pit lane in the safety car after clinching pole position Getty Australian Grand Prix 2017 - in pictures Saturday Qualifying Lewis Hamilton claimed pole position for the sixth time in Australia Getty Australian Grand Prix 2017 - in pictures Saturday Qualifying Romain Grosjean locks up a tyre on his final qualifying lap Getty Australian Grand Prix 2017 - in pictures Saturday Third Practice Sebastian Vettel set the fastest lap ever seen around Albert Park to top third practice Getty Australian Grand Prix 2017 - in pictures Saturday Third Practice Marcus Ericsson flashes past the Albert Park Lake Getty Australian Grand Prix 2017 - in pictures Saturday Third Practice Esteban Ocon gets to grips with the Force India car during third practice Getty Australian Grand Prix 2017 - in pictures Friday Second Practice Marcus Ericsson beached his Sauber in the gravel trap during the afternoon session. Getty Australian Grand Prix 2017 - in pictures Friday Second Practice Jolyon Palmer jumps through a gap in the fence after crashing his Renault on the entry to the start/finish straight. Getty Australian Grand Prix 2017 - in pictures Friday Second Practice Palmer's Renault is recovered to the pit lane ahead of a busy night rebuilding it. Getty Australian Grand Prix 2017 - in pictures Friday Second Practice Sebastian Vettel appeared puzzled by the gap to the lead Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton. Getty Australian Grand Prix 2017 - in pictures Friday Second Practice Daniel Ricciardo runs wide on the exit of turn one. Getty Australian Grand Prix 2017 - in pictures Friday Second Practice Romain Grosjean takes a trip over the gravel trap. Getty Australian Grand Prix 2017 - in pictures Friday Second Practice Lewis Hamilton was fastest in the first two practice sessions of the year in Melbourne Getty Australian Grand Prix 2017 - in pictures Friday First Practice The Force India of Esteban Ocon runs over the kerb during first practice. Getty Australian Grand Prix 2017 - in pictures Friday First Practice Daniel Ricciardo flashes by on the back straight in his Red Bull. Getty Australian Grand Prix 2017 - in pictures Friday First Practice Hamilton was half-a-second faster than his nearest challenger in Vettel Getty Australian Grand Prix 2017 - in pictures Friday First Practice Lewis Hamilton pears through his visor at the start of the new season. Getty Australian Grand Prix 2017 - in pictures Friday First Practice Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon stand by the new pink-livery Force India. Getty

After finishing sixth in last season’s constructors’ championship, McLaren went into 2017 with high hopes, but they soon diminished with the issues in pre-season and a serious gulf between them and the leading Mercedes.

Alonso wants McLaren to improve their performance otherwise be left behind this season (Getty)