Ferrari has been given the green light to bring back the updates that were blocked in China after issues emerged during discussions with the FIA. The new developments are already set to return at the Japanese Grand Prix, marking an important step forward for the Scuderia’s 2026 Formula 1 campaign.
In China, Ferrari confirmed itself as the only team capable of putting Mercedes under pressure, despite a power unit deficit that continues to slow down the SF-26, effectively making the British team unreachable over race distance. While waiting for power unit upgrades, which are currently frozen under regulations, the Maranello-based squad continues to push hard on aerodynamic development, aiming to improve the efficiency of an already highly competitive package.
Fully aware of the gap to the Mercedes engine, Ferrari has focused its efforts on the rear section of the car, developing an extreme rear wing solution, the so-called “macarena”. This concept promises a significant reduction in drag and could help close part of the deficit in terms of top speed.
Given the aggressive nature of the solution, the team began track testing as early as Bahrain, preparing for its official debut. The new rear wing was also brought to China, but it did not entirely convince the engineers, who decided to send it back to Maranello after identifying further critical issues. However, the project has not been abandoned: Ferrari will bring it again to Japan, the next race on the calendar, where it hopes to finally introduce it for the remainder of the season.
The SF-26 halo winglet returns in Japan
Another solution sparked debate in China. Ferrari introduced an unusual winglet mounted on the central pillar of the Halo. This innovation, never seen before, quickly attracted the attention of rival teams, who considered it to be on the edge of the regulations, prompting the FIA to reassess its position after initially approving the design.
To avoid potential consequences during the race weekend, Ferrari decided to remove the component while awaiting official clarification.
According to Autoracer, the winglet will already return in Japan, indicating that the FIA has now granted approval to Ferrari. The solution fits within the allowed volumes defined by the regulations and is therefore fully legal. Furthermore, reports suggest that the team will continue to refine the concept by using even thinner materials to maximize its aerodynamic benefit.
The FIA’s initial doubts were mainly driven by concerns that rival teams could copy the idea and develop even more extreme versions. It will therefore be interesting to see how the situation evolves, with other teams ready to introduce similar solutions if they prove to be effective on track.
The battle for the 2026 championship is being fought as much in the FIA’s technical offices as it is on the asphalt. Ferrari’s ability to successfully defend its engineering innovations against paddock scrutiny is a testament to the team’s renewed political and technical strength. The F1 circus now arrives at Suzuka and the focus will be on the SF-26’s Halo to see if these small details can lead to a big result.
