F1 2026: Is Ferrari already pushing the limits of the regulations?. Ferrari’s new rear wing used during the Bahrain F1 test has sparked speculation.

Among the most talked-about technical innovations seen during the F1 test in Bahrain was undoubtedly the rear wing introduced by Ferrari — a solution that immediately caught the attention of rival teams and technical insiders. However, after just a handful of laps, the component was no longer used, fuelling speculation and different interpretations across the paddock.

We asked Matteo Bobbi for his view on this decision and why Ferrari stopped running the new specification so quickly. Bobbi was quick to clarify that it was not a sudden step backwards. “It was planned like that. That wing was meant to be used for a single run, so five, six, seven laps. It was used for six laps — it was already planned that it wouldn’t be used any more than that.”

Ferrari, why is the new rear wing surprising everyone?

According to the former driver’s analysis, we will most likely not see it in Melbourne either. “In all probability it won’t be used in Melbourne.” The wing is still in a preliminary stage of development. “It’s a wing that is going through the various phases. When something new is introduced, it first has to be tested and there must be numerical feedback. If there is an improvement, then the wing has to pass a whole series of load and stress tests.”

Only once all these steps have been completed can stable race usage be considered. “When all the phases are completed, only then do you evaluate whether to bring it to the track permanently, but we are still at a very early stage in the development process of this wing.”

Beyond the purely technical aspect, Matteo Bobbi highlighted what appears to be a shift in Ferrari’s approach. “It certainly attracted a lot of attention from everyone, and it’s nice to see how Ferrari this year, unlike in recent seasons, is pushing into an area of the field that it hasn’t really explored lately.”

A more courageous attitude. “I’m not saying they are playing right on the offside limit, but at least they are a bit closer to the offside line than they were in the past.”

This approach, according to Matteo Bobbi, has been noticed inside the paddock and is particularly appreciated by Italian fans. The new rear wing has therefore not been shelved, but simply inserted into a gradual development path. If it passes all the required tests, it could become a very interesting weapon over the course of the 2026 Formula 1 season.