Ferrari's revolutionary rear wings: how two innovations are reshaping Formula 1 aerodynamics

The 2026 Formula 1 season is already shaping up to be a technological battleground, and Ferrari has fired a clear shot across the bow of the competition. During the second pre-season test in Bahrain, the Scuderia unveiled two radical aerodynamic innovations that have left the paddock scrambling to understand the implications—and the regulations permitting them.

The flow-turning device: engineering ingenuity

The roughly square-section vane is angled steeply upward, directing exhaust flow toward the rear wing underside while simultaneously energizing the diffuser's central airflow. This technique harks back to exhaust-blowing strategies from the 2010s, but Ferrari has found a regulatory pathway previously closed off by dimensional restrictions.

The rotating rear wing: upside-down aerodynamics

If the flow-turning device impressed, the rotating rear wing left the paddock genuinely shocked. Rather than simply flattening for reduced drag on straights, Ferrari's upper wing element rotates a full 180 degrees, finishing completely upside down.

This revolutionary mechanism operates differently from traditional DRS systems. With the pivot point positioned at the leading edge rather than the trailing edge, the wing flips around to create a dramatically larger slot gap for airflow. In standard downforce mode, the wing's upper surface generates pressure differential by being smaller than the underside. When inverted, this configuration reverses—the smaller surface now faces downward, maximizing the gap between elements.

The aerodynamic benefit is substantial: reduced drag combined with minimal lift generation in straight-line mode. This translates to improved top speed while potentially reducing tire rolling resistance. The design remains perfectly legal under 2026 regulations, which impose no rotational limits on active aerodynamics.

Testing and future prospects

Lewis Hamilton piloted the SF-26 equipped with both innovations during Thursday's running. Ferrari has confirmed the rotating rear wing is currently a test item rather than a permanent feature, meaning the team will evaluate its effectiveness before committing to the 2026 season.

The contrast between Ferrari's approach and competitors like Alpine—which have adopted collapsing wings rotating around the leading edge—suggests multiple valid interpretations of the new regulations will emerge. While Ferrari's flow-turning bodywork will prove difficult to copy due to transmission complexity, the rotating wing could inspire rapid adoption across the grid.

Ferrari's dual innovations showcase the creative engineering at Maranello and signal that 2026 will feature genuine technical diversity despite the regulations' constraints.