Adrian Newey accused of exaggerating Aston Martin issues to get ‘preferential treatment’ from FIA

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Adrian Newey may be overstating the extent of Honda’s problems to prompt a reaction from the FIA, according to a report. Newey has made some remarkable statements about Aston Martin’s engine supplier in the past week or so.

Most notably, Newey said his drivers risked permanent nerve damage if they completed over 25 continuous laps in Australia because of the severe vibrations from the Honda power unit. Neither driver made the chequered flag, but Lance Stroll completed 43 laps overall.

Newey also described Honda’s shortage of batteries as ‘scary’. Fernando Alonso indicated ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix that they are awaiting clearance from Honda to attempt a full-race distance.

Higher or lower: Aston Martin will complete 20 laps in the Chinese Grand Prix before their first retirement

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Is Adrian Newey dramatising Aston Martin problems?

Newey rarely spoke to the media during his time at Red Bull, but he is now in a public-facing role as Aston Martin team principal. Still, Bernie Collins was surprised by Newey’s honesty when senior figures would normally resort to ‘PR’ speak.

In the F1 paddock, there have been a few different explanations for the unusual approach. It was even claimed that Aston Martin wanted permission to skip races, which is why they flagged the health risk their drivers were facing.

Another less dramatic but still controversial theory was that Newey wanted a cost-cap exemption for Honda, who are clearly on course to overspend because they have burned through parts so quickly.

• READ MORE: BYD consider Aston Martin takeover offer as Lawrence Stroll nears ‘breaking point’

The latest rumour is that Newey is seeking early access to the ‘Additional Development Upgrade Opportunities’ (ADUO) afforded by the FIA. The scheme, introduced for the start of the new regulations, doesn’t kick in until after the first six races.

Newey may hope that the FIA will offer ‘preferential treatment’ to Honda if the situation demands it, which gives him an incentive to ‘deliberately exaggerate’ the crisis they are facing.

Mercedes may already be manipulating the ADUO system

F1 engine suppliers have access to varying degrees of ADUO depending on their gap to the leader. There are two separate thresholds – 2-4% and over 4%.

Honda are almost certain to fall into the latter category, but with the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian GPs likely to be cancelled, round six won’t arrive until the Monaco GP in early June. Until then, they will face the same restrictions as Mercedes.

One could argue that this is unfair and it would be in the interests of the championship to help Honda, raising the overall standard.

But Mercedes are already gaming the ADUO system, according to a recent report, by keeping Ferrari and Red Bull within the 2% barrier. In such a competitive environment, it’s difficult to see the other four manufacturers making Honda’s life any easier.