F1 | Ferrari adds Halo flaps: potential impact on driver visibility. Ferrari has added small flaps to the SF-26 Halo at the Chinese GP,.

Ferrari has decided to introduce small flaps on the SF-26 Halo in China, prompting discussions about potential issues for drivers.

Although Frédéric Vasseur had assured that Ferrari would not bring any major updates to Shanghai, several interesting developments appeared on the SF-26. In addition to the debut of the Macarena wing, which was later discarded ahead of Sprint Qualifying, the Maranello team chose to add small flaps on the Halo that immediately drew the attention of rivals and technical observers.

New Ferrari Halo flaps: benefits and potential drawbacks

The primary purpose of this solution is undoubtedly to clean up the airflow hitting the driver’s helmet, directing it toward the airbox. This helps reduce aerodynamic drag, resulting in a higher top speed. Beyond the performance advantages, many have questioned whether this type of component could create visibility issues for the drivers. The topic has been discussed extensively over the years, with the FIA exploring alternative solutions to the Halo without reaching any concrete results.

Looking at the driver’s view from inside the cockpit, it is clear that the new flaps have a marginal but noticeable impact on the “clear zone” directly in front of the eyes. To mitigate this, Ferrari has likely made the flaps transparent using a resin that maintains the structural strength required for such a component. This ensures that visibility is only slightly affected, while delivering a potential gain in top speed that may not be negligible.

It is also important to note that at such high speeds, drivers are forced to look far ahead, with their gaze frequently angled slightly to the side. Whether this solution will become a permanent feature on the SF-26 or only be used for select race weekends remains to be seen. One thing is certain: Ferrari is working hard in Maranello to try and close the current gap to Mercedes.