Ferrari is set to arrive in Miami with a particularly rich and wide-ranging upgrade package, designed to improve overall performance across several key aerodynamic areas of the car. In the meantime, however, the Maranello-based team has already been actively validating and testing some of these new developments at Monza during its official filming day, where an updated version of the flip rear wing was also seen running on track. This latest specification includes visible changes to the endplates, a revised positioning of the actuator mechanism, and a redesign of the two supporting pylons that help structure the assembly.
There is still more than a week to go before the track action begins in Miami, but attention across the Formula 1 paddock is already heavily focused on the American round. This is not only because it marks the return of Formula 1 after the break caused by the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, but also because it will be the weekend when all teams are expected to introduce significant technical upgrade packages, Ferrari included, as the development race continues to intensify in this phase of the season.
The cancellation of the Middle Eastern races has not only altered the calendar but has also had a direct impact on upgrade planning across the entire grid. The effect has not been so much on the development process itself, but rather on the timing of when components are introduced on track. Packages that were originally intended to debut in Sakhir or Jeddah have now been postponed and shifted towards Miami, which is why all teams are expected to arrive in Florida with noticeably substantial updates and revised aerodynamic concepts.
This forced break has also provided teams with additional time to focus on more detailed qualitative data analysis, allowing engineers to refine simulations and better understand how new components behave under different conditions. It has also given them the opportunity to carry out controlled testing ahead of the American round. While Red Bull chose to travel to Silverstone to evaluate its updated package, including revised sidepod solutions, Ferrari opted for Monza as its chosen location to assess some of the updates that are expected to debut in Miami. The Scuderia made use of the 200 kilometres permitted by Formula 1 regulations for filming day activities, a limited but valuable window for real-world validation.
It was officially a day dedicated to promotional filming for Ferrari’s partners, sponsors, and media content creation, but at the same time it proved useful for running performance checks away from the eyes of competitors. Monza, although heavily controlled and partially closed off as is typically the case during filming days, still attracted a strong presence of Ferrari supporters. Many fans attempted to reach the limited vantage points available in order to catch a glimpse of the SF-26 in action, driven by their long-standing passion for the Scuderia and its history in Formula 1.
Among the developments worked on by the team from Maranello is an updated version of the flip rear wing, internally nicknamed “Macarena” due to the distinctive motion it performs during its rotation phase. The first version of this concept had already appeared during pre-season testing in Bahrain, where it immediately drew attention from engineers and analysts across the paddock. It was later tested again in China during the first free practice session of the weekend, in order to gather additional real-world data and validate early simulation results.
These early runs provided extremely valuable references for understanding the development direction of the concept. The version seen at the start of the season was only a first iteration, primarily aimed at validating the aerodynamic principle and mechanical feasibility rather than delivering a fully optimized performance solution. Not coincidentally, on the eve of the Shanghai free practice sessions, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton praised the Ferrari team for its aggressive development approach and for attempting to introduce and evaluate such an innovative wing concept earlier than originally planned in the development timeline.
During the Monza filming day, Ferrari ran an updated specification of the flip rear wing where several structural and aerodynamic changes can clearly be identified. One of the most noticeable updates concerns the endplate area, which now integrates the actuator in a more refined and compact manner, with the surrounding geometry significantly revised compared to the earlier version.
The initial section of the endplates now features a noticeably different shape, appearing sharper and less rounded in the upper region, particularly near the section associated with the Italian flag livery detail. Perhaps the most technically interesting change, however, relates to the positioning of the actuator embedded within the endplate structure. The protrusion is now more inclined and positioned closer to the main plane of the rear wing assembly, a design choice that allows Ferrari to manage airflow in a more controlled and efficient manner, improving how air is guided through and around the structure.
This area has become a major focus for many Formula 1 teams at the start of the current technical cycle. Although approaches differ from team to team, the general trend has been towards more complex, three-dimensional endplate geometries designed to manipulate airflow structures and reduce unwanted turbulence. From a lateral perspective, it is also evident that Ferrari has retained the two small support elements that connect the first movable flap to the main plane when the wing is in its closed configuration, maintaining structural stability while preserving aerodynamic efficiency.
The supporting pylons themselves, which in modern Formula 1 design no longer serve a purely structural function but also contribute significantly to aerodynamic performance, have also been redesigned. Previously, these elements tended to taper as they approached the upper section where they connect beneath the main plane. In the updated version, however, they now feature greater depth and a wider profile in the upper region, suggesting a more deliberate effort to influence airflow conditioning around the rear wing assembly.
Another small but particularly intriguing detail is the presence of a vertical element positioned centrally above the second movable flap. Its precise aerodynamic function has not been officially clarified, leaving room for interpretation among analysts and observers, but it appears to be part of Ferrari’s broader strategy of fine-tuning airflow separation and vortex control.
Attention also shifts to the central part of the car, where the halo structure continues to play an increasingly important aerodynamic role beyond its primary safety function. On the Monza-specification car, two small aerodynamic appendages have reappeared on either side of the halo, designed to better manage airflow around the cockpit area and helmet region, which is known to generate complex turbulent structures. This concept has already been adopted by Red Bull as well, as observed during its own filming day activity, highlighting a converging development trend among top teams.
Although not visible in the available images from Monza, Ferrari’s upgrade package for the upcoming Miami Grand Prix is not limited to the revised rear wing alone. As reported in the days leading up to the filming session, the package is expected to include further modifications to both the front wing and the floor. These are two of the most sensitive aerodynamic regions under the current Formula 1 regulations, where Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull, and McLaren have all followed distinct design philosophies in search of performance gains.
These components remain areas with significant development potential, particularly because the current technical cycle is still in its relatively early stages. Ferrari has therefore invested considerable effort during the recent break, not only in developing new aerodynamic solutions but also in analyzing vast amounts of simulation and track data. The objective is to arrive at the restart of the championship fully prepared to react to rival upgrades, especially as teams like McLaren have already hinted at bringing heavily revised packages that could significantly alter the competitive order.
Ferrari’s clear goal is to begin systematically reducing the performance gap to Mercedes and increase its advantage over other McLaren and Red Bull, while also preparing for future development opportunities. A key factor in this long-term strategy is the expected regulatory clarity around ADUO, which could eventually allow the Scuderia to introduce further performance improvements on the power unit side as well, complementing the ongoing aerodynamic evolution of the car.
Leave a Reply