Bernie Collins has welcomed the fact that Haas have already replicated Ferrari’s pioneering exhaust flap after observing the upgrade at the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix. Formula 1’s travelling circus has quickly moved on from the season-opening round in Melbourne to Shanghai, bringing renewed focus on technical innovations across the grid. Haas had started the season strongly, with Oliver Bearman emerging as the best of the rest in P7 at the Australian Grand Prix, demonstrating that the VF-26 has the potential to compete near the midfield front.
Ferrari also opened the 2026 campaign with a solid performance at Albert Park. Charles Leclerc secured P3 ahead of teammate Lewis Hamilton in P4 and even challenged for the race lead before the team decided not to emulate Mercedes by pitting under the early virtual safety car. The rear of the Ferrari SF-26 had already attracted attention during pre-season testing in Bahrain, where the Scuderia unveiled its distinctive exhaust flap. Now, Collins has noticed a very similar device appear on the rear of the Haas VF-26 in Shanghai, signaling that the small Ferrari innovation is being adopted quickly across the grid.
Collins pointed out that seeing Haas adopt Ferrari’s exhaust flap is a positive development. Ferrari had required special FIA approval to run their flap during the second pre-season test in Bahrain, but the part was sanctioned after the team redesigned the rear crash structure to accommodate a small plate covering the lower half of the SF-26’s exhaust. While some competitors had expected it would be difficult to copy the design—given that Maranello positioned the differential as far back as possible to ensure the plate remained within the 60mm limit—Haas, as a Ferrari engine customer, successfully replicated the innovation.
Collins explained that Haas had clearly been observing Ferrari’s work closely. In the paddock, he noted, teams regularly monitor each other, and Haas have now introduced a rear winglet positioned on the rear crash structure behind the exhaust. While the Haas winglet is slightly smaller than Ferrari’s, it occupies a very similar location and appears intended to deliver comparable aerodynamic benefits. Collins emphasized that it is encouraging to see teams implementing such upgrades just two races into the season, showing how quickly development continues in Formula 1 and how teams strive to extract performance immediately.
The exhaust flap now present on both Ferrari and Haas cars provides clear aerodynamic benefits. By covering the lower half of the exhaust, the small plate improves the efficiency of the rear diffuser and rear wing, enhancing airflow and rear downforce. Early pre-season testing suggested that Ferrari’s flap also contributed to better tyre wear, offering a performance advantage over a race distance. Some rival aerodynamic designers have noted that while the flap increases diffuser efficiency, it may slightly compromise the rear wing due to upwash, but the overall net gain is positive. Collins also compared the device to the “monkey seat” designs previously seen in Formula 1, explaining that it uses exhaust gases to generate additional rear downforce.
Collins further elaborated that the flap channels exhaust flow to improve aerodynamic grip, similar in concept to monkey seats previously mounted further back on the rear wing near the pillars. By directing exhaust gases in this way, teams can extract a small but meaningful increase in downforce, enhancing stability and cornering performance. This approach highlights how Ferrari’s innovation has set a trend that Haas have promptly followed in Shanghai.
Meanwhile, Oliver Bearman believes that Haas are still learning to fully utilise Ferrari’s new power unit, though GPS data from the 2026 Australian Grand Prix already highlighted what is possible. Bearman was the best of the rest at Albert Park, finishing P7 after starting from P12 on the grid, earning six points in his season opener—an improvement over the four rounds it took to secure the same number of points for Haas last season.
Ferrari, by comparison, secured 27 points in Australia, with Leclerc finishing P3, just 0.625 seconds ahead of teammate Hamilton in P4. Leclerc had even challenged for the lead until the team opted against pitting under the early virtual safety car, which Mercedes took advantage of. Bearman was awarded Jenson Button’s Driver of the Day in Australia for his impressive climb through the field, while teammate Esteban Ocon began his season with a P11 finish from P13 on the grid. Bearman noted that the Australian GP provided Haas with valuable insights into the new Ferrari engine.
The London-born driver explained that Haas were unable to take Turn 5 flat out at Albert Park until the end of FP2, with further improvement in FP3. In contrast, GPS data showed that Ferrari drivers Leclerc and Hamilton were able to take the same fast right-hander flat out from the very first laps. Bearman believes this highlights how much Haas still need to learn about the Scuderia’s power unit, and he stressed that the team can now use the information gathered in Melbourne to improve performance for the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.
Bearman indicated that the Melbourne weekend provided several benchmarks, showing where Haas were slower through corners and how gear selection influenced performance. Understanding these gaps, he said, allows the team to better manage power output and optimise lap times in future races. He cited Turn 5 as a clear example, noting that Ferrari’s drivers were flat out from the outset, while Haas required multiple sessions to reach comparable speeds.
Ferrari’s cornering speed in Melbourne was a standout aspect of their performance, with the SF-26 proving exceptionally fast through low-speed corners. The Briton and his Maranello teammate also matched Mercedes’ pace in medium-speed sections, demonstrating the car’s overall competitive balance. Bearman and Haas will aim to use the insights gained from analyzing Ferrari’s engine in Australia to enhance the VF-26’s cornering speed at the Chinese Grand Prix, while Ferrari will continue to exploit the full weekend of data to optimise their SF-26’s performance in Shanghai.
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