Ferrari prepares revised Macarena rear wing to unlock more SF-26 performance | F1 British GP. Ferrari betting on new Macarena rear wing to improve SF-26 straight-line speed.

Ferrari continues SF-26 development with fresh upgrades targeting Silverstone and Spa

Ferrari has no intention of slowing down the development of the SF-26 despite a frustrating Austrian Grand Prix weekend. While the team’s second power unit upgrade remains scheduled for after the summer break, engineers in Maranello are already finalizing another aerodynamic package that could make its debut as early as the British Grand Prix.

The latest improvements are primarily aimed at one of Ferrari’s biggest weaknesses throughout the 2026 Formula 1 season: straight-line speed. With two high-speed circuits coming up at Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps, reducing aerodynamic drag has become a key priority as the Scuderia looks to give both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc a more competitive package.

A revised low-drag rear wing is among Ferrari’s next developments

According to reports from AutoRacer, Ferrari is preparing an updated version of the so-called “Macarena” rear wing, a design intended to improve aerodynamic efficiency by lowering drag while maintaining sufficient downforce. Similar concepts have already attracted attention elsewhere in the paddock, with both Red Bull and McLaren evaluating comparable solutions during the Austrian Grand Prix weekend.

McLaren had originally planned to test its own version on Lando Norris’ car during Friday practice at Spielberg. However, the component failed mandatory static structural tests before the session began, preventing it from running on track.

Ferrari’s revised specification has been developed with a different objective: maximizing top speed on long straights without sacrificing the balance that has become one of the SF-26’s strongest characteristics since the latest aerodynamic updates were introduced. The timing of the package is no coincidence, with Silverstone and Spa both placing enormous importance on aerodynamic efficiency and engine performance.

Lewis Hamilton highlighted the importance of straight-line speed

Following the Austrian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton stressed that straight-line performance would be one of the deciding factors heading into his home race at Silverstone. Having won the British Grand Prix a record nine times, the seven-time Formula 1 World Champion is fully aware of how critical top speed can be around one of the fastest circuits on the calendar.

The new rear wing is expected to be accompanied by several complementary upgrades. Among them is a revised diffuser designed to further reduce aerodynamic resistance while improving airflow management underneath the car. Ferrari is also believed to be preparing another evolution of its exhaust system, continuing its effort to optimize both performance and packaging.

These continuous developments underline Ferrari’s determination to keep extracting performance from the SF-26 even as rival teams continue to closely monitor every technical innovation emerging from Maranello.

Austria provided valuable testing opportunities

Although the Austrian Grand Prix did not deliver the results Ferrari had hoped for, the weekend proved useful from a technical perspective. The team introduced an updated front wing derived from the specification first seen in Barcelona, while the most significant mechanical development came in the form of the first engine upgrade produced using Ferrari’s initial ADUO development token.

The revised power unit delivered measurable gains, even if the overall performance improvement remained relatively modest. Nevertheless, Ferrari views the update as only the first step in a broader engine development program that will continue later in the season.

Friday practice at Spielberg also allowed Ferrari engineers to gather valuable data on several experimental aerodynamic components. During the opening practice session, the SF-26 ran with a revised mirror support, an alternative bargeboard configuration and without the small FTM winglet positioned at the end of the exhaust outlet.

While these parts were removed before the remainder of the weekend, their appearance suggests Ferrari was collecting data for future upgrade packages rather than introducing race-ready components. With further aerodynamic refinements already scheduled over the coming races, the Scuderia remains committed to developing the SF-26 aggressively as it looks to close the gap to Formula 1’s leading teams during the second half of the 2026 season.