Ferrari have introduced a substantially updated version of their innovative “Macarena” rear wing concept during a recent filming day at Monza, as the Scuderia intensify development work ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix.
The Italian team are targeting a strong return when the season resumes in Miami (May 1–3) after a long mid-season break, with Ferrari currently established as the second-strongest outfit in the championship. However, they already find themselves 45 points behind Mercedes after just three rounds, underlining the urgency of their upgrade programme.
Following the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian rounds, most teams are expected to introduce major aerodynamic developments in the United States. Ferrari are no exception, preparing a significant upgrade package covering the floor, front wing, and rear wing areas of the SF-26.
Reports from Italy indicate that both a revised floor and a new front wing specification were also evaluated at Monza, with the possibility of race deployment in Miami still under consideration. In addition, Ferrari are believed to be preparing the Macarena rear wing concept for its competitive debut, after extensive testing during the Monza filming day.
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc evaluate revised Ferrari rear wing concept
Ferrari organised the Monza filming day primarily to assess how their power unit performs on one of the most energy-sensitive circuits on the Formula 1 calendar. However, within the permitted 200km of running, both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were also able to run early versions of upcoming aerodynamic upgrades.
According to the Italian version of the Motorsport website, one of the key elements evaluated was a heavily revised iteration of Ferrari’s Macarena rear wing. The Scuderia have reportedly made significant modifications to the endplate design in order to better integrate the actuator mechanism that controls the upper flap.
The updated design features noticeable geometric changes. The front section of the endplates is now described as more angular, while the upper portion is less rounded compared to the original concept introduced earlier in the season. Engineers have also reworked how the actuator system is housed within the structure.
Instead of a more intrusive layout that affects the mainplane and slot gap opening, the actuator is now integrated in a cleaner and more compact way. Ferrari engineers believe this solution improves airflow management around the rear wing, particularly in low-drag configurations when the flap remains closed.
McLaren questioned Ferrari rear wing legality before FIA approval
Ferrari initially revealed the Macarena rear wing during pre-season testing in Bahrain, and the concept was later evaluated again during practice sessions at the Chinese Grand Prix. However, neither Lewis Hamilton nor Charles Leclerc has yet raced with the specification as the Maranello team continues refining its operational consistency.
Prior to the Monza filming day, reports suggested that Ferrari were still working to optimise the closing time of the rear wing mechanism to ensure full compliance with FIA regulations. Current Formula 1 rules require the upper flap to close within 0.04 seconds, a constraint that likely influenced the latest redesign of the actuator system.
The concept had already drawn attention from rival teams when it first appeared in Bahrain, with several competitors initially questioning its legality. McLaren technical director Rob Marshall admitted that the design raised early doubts within the paddock before it was fully understood.
Speaking to RacingNews365, Rob Marshall explained that teams often encounter unfamiliar solutions when analysing rival cars at the first race events of the season. He noted that Ferrari’s rear wing initially stood out as particularly unusual.
Rob Marshall said: “You design your car, and then you get to the first event and there are quite a few different solutions out there to look at on other people’s cars.”
He continued: “You’ve got things like Ferrari’s rear wing, which everyone saw and thought, ‘Oh, OK, yeah, that’s all right. We’re sure that’s legal?’ Yeah, it is. ‘OK, well, well done then’.”
Rob Marshall also highlighted that Ferrari have introduced other interesting aerodynamic solutions, particularly around the exhaust exit area, which also attracted attention from rival engineers.
As Ferrari continue refining their upgrade package, both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are expected to play a key role in validating the performance gains before the team commits to race-spec deployment in Miami.
Leave a Reply