Alonso's engine fails in first practice session for Barcelona GP

Fernando Alonso's first practice session ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona ended in disaster as his car suffered an engine problem on Thursday.

The Honda motor on the Spaniard's McLaren game him a problem almost as soon as he left the pit area, bringing his circuit of the Montmelo to an end in a plume of white smoke.

It is another setback in what has so far been a hugely disappointing season for Alonso, who has been dogged by engine problems and who was unable to hide his frustration to the press.

"The motor exploded after I took a corner.... What happened? That's a question for Honda, not for me."

"This is very hard, but it's even harder for McLaren, who have brought updates for the race and we haven't been able to try them," he said.

Alonso then gave a further display of his anger when he left the racetrack to play a game of padel (a cross between tennis and squash), making it clear there was little he could do in the situations. Endit