Ferrari arrived at the second Bahrain test session with an intriguing innovation. The revolutionary movement of the rear flap mounted on the SF-26 immediately fired up the imagination of F1 fans. As soon as it hit the track, many began speculating about the potential advantages it could bring. However, at that time, one key factor had been overlooked: the ‘Macarena’ wing required further development before it could deliver its true performance during a race weekend.
‘Macarena’ wing: Revision2 expected at Monza
For this reason, the wing was only seen making its debut in Shanghai after the necessary adjustments (Revision1). Unfortunately, in China, Ferrari’s revised wing still could not guarantee optimal performance and safety for Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. The delayed closure of the rear flap relative to the front movable wing caused too much instability, increasing the risk of accidents for the drivers. After the Chinese Grand Prix, Ferrari decided to wait for further developments.
According to The Race, a new version of the ‘Macarena’ wing—effectively Revision2—is expected to debut in Canada, the fifth round of the 2026 season, scheduled from May 22 to 24. Ferrari has not ruled out introducing it earlier at the Miami Grand Prix, but this will largely depend on data gathered during the filming day in Monza, which The Race reports is scheduled for April 22.
Other teams are working quietly behind the scenes
While Ferrari keeps all options open, other teams are not standing still. AutoRacer reports that several teams began exploring solutions similar to the Macarena wing even before the Bahrain tests. So far, Ferrari has been the only team to put the concept on track, but others are pursuing their own developments discreetly, away from the spotlight, waiting for the right moment to safely introduce a rear wing upgrade for their drivers.
If another team manages to bring a fully functional design to the track before Maranello does, it would be a significant setback for Ferrari, both strategically and reputationally.
The delay of the ‘Macarena’ wing therefore highlights the extreme complexity of the 2026 aerodynamic rules. While Ferrari’s “Revision 2” is the focus of much anticipation at the factory, the threat of being leapfrogged by a rival team’s secret development remains very real. As the F1 circus prepares for the North American leg of the season, all eyes will be on the data coming out of Monza to see if the Prancing Horse can finally stabilize its most ambitious upgrade.
