Ferrari set to introduce ‘Macarena’ wing after “best car” claim

Ferrari will reportedly bring its ‘Macarena’ rear-wing to the upcoming Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix.

Ferrari got its rivals talking during pre-season testing in Bahrain when it debuted a radical 'upside down' rear-wing design.

The wing flap on Lewis Hamilton’s SF-26 generated plenty of attention when it was spotted rotating a full 180 degrees to help reduce drag.

The ingenious innovation was hailed by many in the F1 paddock but Ferrari chose against running it at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, where Charles Leclerc and Hamilton finished third and fourth.

According to Italian publication AutoRacer, Ferrari has decided to ship three specifications of the so-called ‘Macarena’ wing to Shanghai for this weekend’s second round of the season.

This is seen as a risky strategy given that China plays host to the first sprint weekend of the 2026 season.

Ferrari is said to be taking an aggressive development approach with its SF-26 contender, including working on an evolved design of the eye-catching rear wing.

According to the report, this updated specification rear wing is planned for introduction by the Canadian Grand Prix in May.

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur hinted at the importance of the development war in defining the competitive order during the 2026 season.

“We know that we have a very long list of improvements, but it's true for us, it's true for everybody on the grid,” Vasseur told media including Crash.net in Melbourne.

“The result of the season will be based on the capacity that we have to develop, to bring upgrades, to produce quickly. And this will be key for the season for everybody on the grid.

“I prefer to start the season in a good shape than in a bad shape, but it's still a long way to go.”

Despite Mercedes’ dominant victory in Australia, Lando Norris, who finished a distant fifth in his McLaren, pointed to Ferrari as having the best car at the start of F1’s new era.

“I think Ferrari, from what we see, quite clearly they have the best car,” the reigning world champion told Sky Sports F1. “Their cornering speeds are unbelievable. For us to match that is zero chance at the minute.

“We have to work very hard to understand things and learn as much as we can from this part of the season because this part of the season now sets up the rest of it.”