The 2026 season began with a Ferrari very active in terms of updates—something we haven’t seen as much in recent years. Not that the Maranello team didn’t bring upgrades, but it had become customary to operate in steps, releasing package updates at specific predetermined dates.
After surprising everyone with the “Macarena” wing during testing in Bahrain, two small flaps appeared on the SF-26 in China, wrapping around the central pillar of the Halo. With a bit of imagination, they were quickly nicknamed the “Halo-wing.”
Sprint yes, race no: Ferrari abandons the Halo-wing
This aerodynamic solution was designed to direct airflow toward the intake of the airscope. Mounted on the car on Friday, Ferrari tested it during free practice, sprint qualifying, and the sprint race—but then removed it for the main qualifying session and the Grand Prix itself.
This seemed quite unusual. Why use it in the sprint only to remove it for the most important part of the weekend? According to reports from The Race, Ferrari had extensive discussions with the FIA during the weekend. By Saturday, doubts had emerged regarding the solution, possibly triggered by questions from other teams seeking clarification.
To be certain of avoiding repercussions on Sunday evening, Ferrari decided to play it safe and remove the solution from the car. In the coming days, the team will aim to clarify any doubts with the FIA, so the Halo-wings can be used in future events. For now, however, considering that the SF-26 is the only car capable of competing with Mercedes, it was crucial to ensure a solid result by eliminating any variables that could allow rivals to compromise the race.
As the championship moves toward the next rounds, the clarification from the FIA regarding these aerodynamic attachments will be crucial. If cleared, the return of the Halo-wing could be a small but significant piece of the puzzle in Ferrari’s quest to reclaim the top step of the podium.
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