During the second week of pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit in 2026, Ferrari introduced a groundbreaking rear wing on Lewis Hamilton’s SF-26. Despite showcasing the technology during these tests, the Scuderia announced they have no plans to immediately deploy this design in the opening races of the season. The new rear wing was notable for its role in the updated overtaking system replacing the previous DRS, fitting within the new aerodynamic regulations established for F1’s 2026 season.
Hamilton’s test run was brief, completing only five laps on Thursday morning, but the radical rear wing quickly drew attention. This component served as part of the straight mode settings, newly implemented to replace the former Drag Reduction System. Instead of DRS, the 2026 regulations now allow both movable rear and front wing elements, with teams gaining expanded flexibility on activation methods during races.
Distinctive Rear Wing Boosts Straight-Line Speed but Will Be Reserved for Later Use
While most teams adapted existing DRS mechanisms or developed front-wing hinges like Audi and Alpine, Ferrari’s design stood out with a rear wing flap that rotates 180°, significantly reducing aerodynamic drag on straights. This innovation reportedly provides a 10 km/h (6 mph) increase in top speed for Hamilton, based on GPS tracking data from Bahrain.
Despite its speed advantage, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur, who intriguingly nicknamed the mechanism the “Macarena,” confirmed that this rotating rear wing would be put on hold for the early part of the 2026 season. The test in Bahrain was primarily an initial trial phase to explore the new concept’s potential. Ferrari likely will revert to their modified DRS-style flap design for forthcoming race weekends, similar to what they used in earlier pre-season sessions in Barcelona and prior Bahrain tests.
FIA Approves Ferrari’s Rear Wing, Removing Legal Obstacles for Future Use
The innovative rear wing has passed FIA scrutiny, with no immediate regulatory objections reported. Nikolas Tombazis, the FIA’s single-seater technical director, confirmed that the governing body supports solutions aimed at reducing drag, explaining that last year’s restrictive DRS regulations have been relaxed to encourage more freedom in aerodynamic designs.
We have, generally speaking, encouraged solutions that reduce drag. That’s why the DRS regulations of last year, which were limiting the amount of opening [in the slot gap], have not been maintained this year. It is to give more freedom, and the Ferrari solution, we believe, is OK.
?Nikolas Tombazis, FIA Single-Seater Technical Director
Even though the design complies fully with FIA rules, Ferrari’s cautious decision to hold off on deploying the flipping wing reflects a strategic approach. The Scuderia may wait for circuits with long straights and high speed demands, such as Monza, to revisit this technology, giving them time to better understand and optimize its performance under race conditions. Throughout pre-season testing, Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc continued to use the conventional DRS-type wing for most running sessions.
Ferrari Begins 2026 Testing With Strong Pace But Maintains Development Strategy
Ferrari’s testing performance in Bahrain marked their fastest overall lap times across two pre-season test sessions, representing their strongest start since 2019. With Hamilton and Leclerc leading the charge, the team shows promising potential for the 2026 season. Yet by choosing to temporarily shelve the radical rear wing, Ferrari demonstrates prudence in ensuring reliability and maximizing performance gains within the new aerodynamic framework.
As the season opener approaches, observers will be watching whether Ferrari integrates this flipping rear wing when the F1 calendar reaches circuits favoring straight-line speed. The Scuderia’s innovative effort highlights ongoing competition in Formula 1 to balance technical creativity with compliance and tactical race execution.
The innovation never stops in F1
Contrast and compare @ScuderiaFerrari's different rear wing systems 👀#F1 #F1Testing pic.twitter.com/kd6HRINJFA
— Formula 1 (@F1) February 19, 2026
