Mercedes evaluated an inverted rear wing similar to Ferrari’s so-called Macarena concept during 2025, but ultimately decided that a different technical approach offered greater potential for its 2026 Formula 1 car. Simone Resta has now revealed that the Brackley team remains willing to reconsider that decision as development of the new active-aerodynamics regulations continues.
Ferrari has become an important technical reference in several areas during the opening half of the 2026 season. One of the most distinctive solutions on the SF-26 is its inverted rear-wing configuration, commonly known as the Macarena wing. Mercedes is currently the only leading team that has not raced its own interpretation, although that does not mean the concept was ignored during the W17’s development.
Mercedes tested the Ferrari Macarena wing concept in 2025
During an exclusive interview with FormulaPassion.it, Mercedes deputy technical director Simone Resta confirmed that the team had already experimented with an inverted rear wing in 2025, before the introduction of Formula 1’s new technical regulations.
Discussing the solution, Simone Resta noted that Ferrari had introduced the Macarena wing immediately at the beginning of the season.
“We also evaluated it last year, but for a series of technical reasons we chose not to introduce it because we considered another approach to be better,” Simone Resta explained. “However, that does not mean things cannot be reassessed for the future. We are always open to reviewing our decisions.”
The comments underline how teams can reach different conclusions even after studying similar ideas. Mercedes did not overlook the inverted layout or fail to consider its potential. Instead, the Brackley engineers decided that an alternative configuration better suited the development direction chosen for the W17.
Ferrari’s decision to race the concept has nevertheless created a useful comparison point. As the SF-26’s aerodynamic behaviour in Hungary demonstrated, the effectiveness of an individual component cannot be judged only by its appearance or its theoretical load. Its interaction with the rest of the car and the consistency of the complete package remain equally important.
Ferrari and Mercedes chose different active front-wing layouts
The rear wing is not the only area in which Ferrari and Mercedes have followed different philosophies under Formula 1’s active-aerodynamics rules. The two teams also made contrasting choices at the front of their cars.
Mercedes elected to attach the nose pylons to the second wing profile. This limits the opening movement to the final element of the front wing, creating a different mechanical and aerodynamic arrangement from alternative configurations considered by its rivals.
Simone Resta explained that this solution emerged from the development process Mercedes had followed from the beginning of the project. He maintained that the team did not believe it had a particular weakness in the way it was using the active front wing.
“Clearly, the team, and particularly the aerodynamic department, evaluated and will continue to evaluate both configurations,” Simone Resta added. “At the moment, we have focused on one, but it is not as though we did so blindly without considering anything else. We evaluated both steps.”
The Mercedes engineer’s explanation suggests that the current configuration represents a deliberate choice rather than an area the team failed to explore. However, the willingness to continue studying both layouts also reflects the fluid nature of the 2026 development battle, with teams still learning how to maximise the new active-aero systems.
Ferrari has adopted an aggressive approach to this process, with Charles Leclerc already urging the Maranello team to maintain its development momentum as Mercedes and McLaren continue refining their respective packages.
Mercedes considers Ferrari a genuine championship rival
Beyond the technical comparison, Mercedes views Ferrari as a credible opponent in the 2026 championship fight. The Scuderia’s recent development rate has helped it move closer to the Brackley team, making the contest increasingly competitive as Formula 1 enters the second half of the campaign.
Simone Resta acknowledged that Ferrari was performing well and highlighted the number of upgrades being brought to the circuit. He also described that level of development as particularly interesting when considered in the context of Formula 1’s budget cap.
“They are doing well,” Simone Resta stated. “Clearly, they are bringing a lot of developments to the track, which is interesting in relation to the budget cap as well. They are certainly a challenge for the season, and the fact that they are getting closer makes it more interesting. We want to compete against them on the track.”
Ferrari has opted for a race-by-race development strategy, introducing individual components as soon as they become available rather than waiting to combine every improvement into a larger package. That approach has allowed the Italian team to keep updating the SF-26 while evaluating each step during Grand Prix weekends.
The Macarena rear wing is therefore significant for more than its unusual appearance. It represents one example of Ferrari pursuing a different route from Mercedes and putting ideas on the track that its championship rival had previously assessed but decided not to use.
Mercedes remains confident in the decisions behind the W17, yet Simone Resta’s comments make clear that no technical choice is considered irreversible. With Ferrari closing the gap and continuing to introduce developments, the Brackley team is prepared to revisit earlier conclusions if the competitive evidence points towards a more effective solution.
That openness could become increasingly important as the title battle develops. Ferrari’s progress has already prompted greater attention from its rivals, while the Maranello team’s own mid-season assessment made clear that further gains are still required. The next phase of the championship will reveal whether the Macarena concept remains a distinctive Ferrari solution or becomes another idea adopted across the leading group.
Leave a Reply