The closing stages of the 2026 Miami Grand Prix delivered a major setback for Ferrari, as Charles Leclerc’s strong podium challenge unravelled in dramatic circumstances. While fighting directly with Oscar Piastri for a top-three finish, the Ferrari driver was hit by an unexpected and highly disruptive technical problem in the final moments of the race.
What had looked like a potential podium finish quickly turned into a race-ending sequence of events, with Charles Leclerc ultimately losing multiple positions and slipping down the order after a late spin and loss of control in the SF-26.
Suspicion falls on Ferrari’s “Macarena” rear wing after sudden straight-line issue
The initial signs of trouble appeared on the final lap when Charles Leclerc experienced a sudden and unexplained loss of performance on one of the long straights at the Miami International Autodrome. Reports from within the paddock suggest that the movable aerodynamic element of Ferrari’s new rear wing may have behaved abnormally, with the system appearing to close unexpectedly at a crucial moment.
Onboard footage highlighted a sharp drop in speed for the 28-year-old while he was engaged in a direct fight with Oscar Piastri, raising immediate concerns about a possible mechanical or aerodynamic failure. Attention quickly turned to Ferrari’s new rear wing concept, internally referred to as the “Macarena” package, which had been introduced specifically for the Miami Grand Prix weekend after earlier evaluation during a filming day in Monza.
Moments after the straight-line issue, Charles Leclerc lost control of his Ferrari SF-26 while exiting a corner under pressure. The resulting spin eliminated any remaining chance of a podium finish and marked a dramatic turning point in what had been a highly competitive race for the Monegasque driver.
In the final metres of the Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc was also overtaken by both George Russell and Max Verstappen, further compounding the disappointment and turning a strong points finish into a heavily compromised result.
Ferrari investigates possible failure of “Macarena” aerodynamic package
Within the Formula 1 paddock, early indications suggest that Ferrari may be dealing with a potential failure or inconsistency in the operation of its new aerodynamic development. The “Macarena” rear wing was one of the key performance upgrades introduced by Ferrari for the Miami weekend, designed to improve efficiency and balance between straight-line speed and cornering performance.
However, the unusual behaviour observed on the final lap has now placed the system under immediate scrutiny, with engineers expected to conduct a detailed analysis of its operational stability under race conditions.
Following the spin, Charles Leclerc briefly found himself in a highly vulnerable position and struggled to fully recover control of the car in the closing phase of the race. At one stage, there were concerns within the Ferrari garage about whether he would be able to bring the SF-26 safely to the finish line, although he ultimately succeeded in completing the Grand Prix distance.
Despite finishing the race, the final classification was a significant disappointment compared to what had been realistically achievable just moments before the incident occurred.
Ferrari is now expected to carry out an in-depth technical review of the Miami Grand Prix data, with particular focus placed on the reliability and consistency of the new rear wing concept. The development team in Maranello will aim to determine whether the issue was an isolated failure or a structural weakness in the “Macarena” aerodynamic package.
After what initially appeared to be a weekend capable of reinforcing Ferrari’s position in the championship fight, the dramatic ending for Charles Leclerc has instead raised fresh concerns over the stability of key upgrades on the SF-26 and their readiness for sustained race conditions.
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