Breaking: Ferrari deliver update on planned use of controversial…read more

Ferrari deliver update on planned use of controversial…read more

Ferrari have provided fresh insight into their decision to temporarily shelve their eye-catching and controversial “Macarena” rear wing following its brief appearance during practice at the Chinese Grand Prix.

The innovative rear wing concept, first introduced during pre-season testing in Bahrain, immediately drew attention across the paddock due to its unusual design. Unlike conventional systems, this wing is capable of rotating through an extreme range of up to 270 degrees, allowing it to open and close in a way that significantly alters airflow. The idea behind the concept is to generate lift on straights, which in turn triggers a stronger diffuser stall, ultimately reducing drag and boosting straight-line speed.

Despite the excitement surrounding the design, Ferrari have been cautious in its implementation. The team initially ran the wing for just five laps during testing, before opting not to use it at all during the Australian Grand Prix weekend. However, the concept resurfaced in China, where both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc trialed the wing during the sole practice session of the Sprint weekend.

Even then, its appearance was short-lived. After gathering limited data in practice, Ferrari chose to remove the rear wing ahead of Sprint Qualifying, raising questions about whether the concept had encountered issues or had been abandoned altogether.

Addressing the situation, team principal Fred Vasseur clarified that the decision was not due to a fundamental flaw in the design, but rather a lack of sufficient testing mileage. According to Vasseur, the current Formula 1 weekend format—especially Sprint weekends—limits opportunities for teams to properly evaluate new components.

He explained that with no in-season testing allowed, teams are forced to rely heavily on the single practice session available during race weekends to gather crucial data. As a result, Ferrari simply did not accumulate enough laps with the wing to confidently deploy it under competitive conditions.

Vasseur indicated that the team plans to continue evaluating the concept in upcoming races, likely beginning with further running during practice at the Japanese Grand Prix. The goal is to build up enough data to ensure both reliability and performance meet Ferrari’s standards before committing to a full race weekend debut.

Importantly, Ferrari have not abandoned the “Macarena” wing project. Instead, they are taking a measured and data-driven approach, prioritizing reliability and understanding over rushing the component into action. Vasseur emphasized that once the team is satisfied with the durability of the system and has gathered sufficient mileage, the wing will be introduced more permanently.

For now, the concept remains one of the most intriguing technical developments of the 2026 Formula 1 season. If successfully refined, it could offer Ferrari a significant performance advantage, particularly on circuits where straight-line speed is crucial. However, until further testing is completed, its true potential remains a subject of speculation within the paddock.