Ferrari causes shock in F1 testing with rear wing which flips 180 degrees
Ferrari has introduced a unique rear wing during F1 2026 pre-season testing, as it flips 180 degrees once opened
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Ferrari has been the talk of Formula 1 pre-season testing this week with its innovative updates to the SF-26.
First, on Wednesday, Motorsport.com reported that the Italian outfit had placed a small wing in front of the exhaust pipe to exploit the gas flow through medium- to low-speed corners.
Then on Thursday, the penultimate day of 2026 testing, a further innovation was fitted to the rear wing where the upper flap flips 180 degrees once opened. This is as a result of the flap opening at the pivot in the centre rather than the end like DRS previously, meaning it also allows the rear of the flap to open as well.
It ends with the front portion pointing downwards with the rear part facing upwards and means that the trailing edge, the rearmost part of the upper wing flap, takes on a completely different profile once it is opened.
This creates a sort of expansion, with the front centre of the flap becoming the guiding element of the outgoing flows. It is also no coincidence that, in order to perform the rotation, there is no longer a central actuator on the mainplane that raised the wing, but instead a different system is placed on the endplates.
The design is certainly unique and it shows that the 2026 regulations allow teams considerable freedom in the design of the rear wing opening mechanism. So unsurprisingly, different interpretations have emerged during pre-season with some remaining closer to the philosophy of the old DRS – maintaining the pivot point on the trailing edge.
Others, however, such as Alpine, have chosen an alternative route by adopting a wing which collapses by rotating around the leading edge. But it remains to be seen which design is the best way forward, and Motorsport.com understands that Ferrari's rear wing is only a test item rather than a permanent feature.
Photos from Bahrain Pre-Season Testing - Day 5
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Bahrain Pre-Season Testing Day 5, in photos
Share Or Save This Story
The Pirelli test row shows why MotoGP riders need a stronger voice
Mercedes reveals the "secret code" tactic behind Kimi Antonelli's Madrid-winning VSC call
How Kimi Antonelli and Mercedes made their own luck in Madrid
Ferrari’s Vigna on Vasseur and fake news: “There is only one reality”
Lewis Hamilton labels Sepang qualifying as "best lap" of his 2026 F1 season
Lewis Hamilton and Fred Vasseur recall GP2 title and 'most impressive race ever', 20 years on
Lewis Hamilton warned, Ferrari fined for Bahrain GP impeding
Lewis Hamilton hands Ferrari F1 boss Fred Vasseur strongest show of support yet
The problem with Ferrari’s endless team principal speculation
LIVE: IMSA Petit Le Mans finale lap-by-lap commentary and race updates
Sheldon Creed leaves Haas for Sam Hunt Racing in multi-year NASCAR O'Reilly deal
WRC Sardinia: Title wide open after double Hyundai drama
Why Malaysia would be the best place for F1’s first wet-weather race in 2026
You Ask The Questions: Emerson Fittipaldi
The wide world of strategy options expected in F1's Bahrain GP in Malaysia
How drivers waiting in the wings can still make their presence count in F1
What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 Bahrain GP in Malaysia
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments