F1 | Ferrari surprise: SF-26 designed with a new rear exhaust wing
Scuderia Ferrari has introduced a significant aerodynamic innovation on the SF-26 that won’t be easily copied. The regulations allow a 60 mm overhang from the rear axle to install a wing profile, and the SF-26 features a flap called FTM that exploits exhaust gas blowing, now active even at lower gears to assist energy recovery.
The Ferrari team surprised the paddock at the start of the second Bahrain test by revealing this previously unseen aerodynamic solution. It remained a secret until Charles Leclerc emerged from the Sakhir pits this morning. A small wing appeared just in front of the SF-26’s exhaust pipe, immediately drawing attention from other teams. Its position is unprecedented compared to what has been seen on other 2026 cars, reflecting a brilliant interpretation of the technical regulations.
The rules allow engineers to place an aerodynamic device in that area as long as it does not exceed 60 millimeters from the half-shaft. Normally, this constraint would prevent any component from extending beyond the end of the exhaust. However, Ferrari engineers overcame the issue by moving the differential as far back as possible, taking advantage of the space under the deformable structure. From the outset, the entire rear section was designed to accommodate this innovation, known within the Ferrari garage as FTM.
The benefits of this solution are also linked to the particular use of 2026 power units. The need to recharge the battery forces engine manufacturers to use the internal combustion engine as an electricity generator. As a result, the V6 must run consistently at high revs, producing a steady flow of exhaust gases even through medium and low-speed corners.
If the solution proves as effective as expected, rival teams will not be able to copy it without redesigning the car’s rear end. A small but valuable advantage, Ferrari has chosen to reveal this innovation only during the final test before the start of the season.
As the final countdown to the Australian Grand Prix begins, this technical masterstroke by Ferrari highlights just how much performance can be found in the “grey areas” of the 2026 rules. While other teams focus on reliability, Maranello has demonstrated a willingness to push the boundaries of car architecture, potentially securing a significant aerodynamic edge that could define the early pecking order of this new era of Formula 1.
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