Webber’s problems no conspiracy - Newey

Adrian Newey has dismissed suggestions Mark Webber’s reliability problems are something other than just bad luck.

While Sebastian Vettel collected his four consecutive world championships, Australian Webber always seems to be the one struck by car problems.

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner doesn’t think Webber is simply harder on his equipment.

"I don’t think so," he is quoted by Sky, after Webber’s latest alternator problem in India.

It was believed Red Bull had got to the bottom of the recurring alternator issues of last year. Has the same gremlin returned?

"We don’t know yet," car designer Adrian Newey told Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport.

He did at least dismiss the conspiracy theories.

"What can I say?" Newey answered. "I can only assure you that the conspiracies are nonsense. The cars are identical.

"It must just be bad luck."

Webber is retiring from F1 at the end of the season, and Newey said the Australian’s detailed technical feedback will be missed.

"Mark’s contribution should not be underestimated," said the Briton.

"Interestingly, Mark feels small aerodynamic changes in the car earlier and with more detail than Sebastian," revealed Newey.