A direct attack from Adrian Newey against Mercedes over the engine issue: the words of Aston Martin’s genius
The Power Unit topic is finally coming to the forefront. After months of discussions, controversies and countless disagreements, the 2026 regulations have now officially been launched, introducing new Power Units with alternating electric and thermal components.
As with every major technical regulation change, studying every detail and trying to operate within the “grey areas” of the rules is essential to gain a competitive edge on track. Mercedes, widely tipped as the main favourite for the title, now appears to have ended up right at the centre of the storm.
Ferrari, Red Bull and even Aston Martin have begun to question the legality of the new PU system engineered by Toto Wolff and his team in Brackley, with increasingly pointed public statements on the matter.
Aston Martin provokes Mercedes: Newey’s words
After Red Bull and Ferrari opened the debate last week by expressing doubts about the regularity of Mercedes’ work — claims repeatedly defended by Toto Wolff — prompting the FIA to seek clarification, Aston Martin has now joined the discussion as well.
Speaking on the eve of the Bahrain tests (scheduled from today through Friday) was none other than Adrian Newey himself, leading the development of the “green car” from Silverstone:“Mercedes? I am clearly biased”.
However, Newey’s sharp remarks towards Mercedes should not be underestimated, especially considering that Aston Martin has abandoned Mercedes power units this year in favour of Honda. This context helps explain the united front of Honda-powered teams, Red Bull-Ford, Audi and Ferrari against Mercedes — the latter also supplying McLaren, Williams and Alpine.
“I believe that all the engine manufacturers agree except one,” Newey said (clearly referring to the need for greater clarity on the Power Unit regulations, ed.). “So we’ll see how it all plays out in Melbourne”.
Photos: Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team, Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team
