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
Lewis Hamilton calls for Singapore track changes: “Would have been the most boring race without rain”
Lewis Hamilton celebrates breakthrough in push for African Grand Prix
How the Bahrain GP in Malaysia exposed Red Bull’s hidden resurgence
Lewis Hamilton owns up to wrong call as Ferrari struggles in Singapore SQ3
FIA stewards deliver verdict in Max Verstappen yellow-flag investigation
The problem with Ferrari’s endless team principal speculation
NASCAR O'Reilly race postponed to late Sunday due to heavy rain at Charlotte
NASCAR Cup Charlotte Starting Lineup: Qualifying canceled due to Hurricane Isaias rain
Starting grid for the 2026 F1 Singapore GP
F1 2026 qualifying head-to-head: Singapore GP
How Honda plans a return to being an F1 powerhouse
Why Red Bull's 'crazy' power unit success matters so much for F1
No denying it now – the one reason why F1’s ‘horrible’ start in Malaysia could be a good thing
The greatest F1 campaigns with no wins
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