Motorsport.com faviconMotorsport.comUnverified11 days ago
0

Ferrari's Revolutionary Rear Wing Could Flip the Script on Race Day, Says Buxton

Renowned motorsport analyst Will Buxton has praised Ferrari's groundbreaking rear wing design that rotates a full 180°, suggesting the innovation could allow the Scuderia to overcome qualifying performance to dominate once the lights go out. The distinctive aerodynamic component made waves during Bahrain's pre-season testing, setting it apart from conventional designs that simply open and close.

Ferrari's Revolutionary Rear Wing Could Flip the Script on Race Day, Says Buxton
Bahrain International CircuitFormula 1

Ferrari has captured the paddock's imagination with an audacious approach to rear wing design ahead of the 2026 season. The Maranello squad unveiled a distinctive aerodynamic solution during pre-season testing in Bahrain that operates on a completely different principle than its competitors—instead of the standard open-and-close mechanism, this rear wing executes a full 180° rotation.

The innovation hasn't gone unnoticed among F1 observers. Will Buxton, the respected former F1 television presenter, has thrown his weight behind Ferrari's engineering gambit, suggesting it could fundamentally alter how the team performs across a grand prix weekend. Buxton's enthusiasm extends to bold predictions about its potential impact, claiming that Ferrari "could qualify on the back row of the grid and be leading the grand prix by Turn 1."

The design represents a significant departure from conventional wisdom in F1 aerodynamics. Rather than relying on traditional adjustments, the rotating mechanism appears to offer Ferrari a unique advantage that could manifest most dramatically during the race itself, potentially compensating for any qualifying shortcomings through raw performance gains when it matters most.

Original source

Motorsport.com

Read Original

Related Regulations

View full text below
technical Regulations
sporting Regulations

Hover over badges for quick summaries, or scroll down for full official text and simplified explanations.

Full Regulation Text

Technical Regulations

Article 3.10

FIA Source

DRS System

Chapter: Chapter III - Bodywork

In Simple Terms

DRS lets the rear wing flap open on straights to reduce drag and boost top speed by 10-15 km/h. It's driver-activated via a button but only works in designated zones and when close to another car. The system must fail-safe to the closed position if there's any malfunction.

  • Rear wing flap opens to reduce drag
  • Provides 10-15 km/h speed advantage
  • Must fail-safe to closed position
  • Single actuation method only
Official FIA Text

The rear wing is permitted to have one adjustable bodywork element for the purpose of improving overtaking opportunities. This adjustable element may only move in a prescribed manner within defined limits and must return to its closed position within a specified time.

overtakingaerodynamicsstraight line speedDRSrear wingadjustableovertakingdrag reduction
2026 Season Regulations
Technical Regulations

Article C3.11.1

FIA Source

Rear Wing Profiles

Chapter: C3

In Simple Terms

The rear wing must fit within a specific design area and can have up to three separate sections. It cannot have inward-curving surfaces visible from underneath, and any inward curves visible from above must have a minimum radius of 100mm to ensure safety and fair aerodynamic performance.

  • Rear wing bodywork must stay within the defined RV-RW-PROFILES design box
  • Maximum of three non-overlapping sections allowed in the rear wing structure
  • No concave (inward-curving) surfaces allowed when viewed from below
  • Any concave surfaces visible from above must have at least 100mm radius to prevent sharp curves
Official FIA Text

Rear Wing Profiles Bodywork must lie in its entirety within RV-RW-PROFILES, comprise of up to three non-intersecting simply connected volumes, and contain no concave radius of curvature visible from below and no concave radius less than 100mm visible from above.

rear wingbodywork profileconcave radiusaerodynamic bodyworkwing design
2026 Season Regulations
Technical Regulations

Article C1.6

FIA Source

New systems or technologies

Chapter: ARTICLE C1: GENERAL PRINCIPLES

In Simple Terms

If a team invents a clever new system or technology that isn't explicitly mentioned in the rulebook but the FIA approves it, they can only use it for the rest of that season. Once the season ends, that innovation is no longer allowed unless it becomes an official part of the regulations.

  • New technologies must be approved by the FIA before use
  • Approved innovations are only permitted until the end of the season in which they're introduced
  • Teams cannot carry over one-season innovations to the next season automatically
  • The regulation prevents any team from gaining a permanent advantage from a loophole
Official FIA Text

Any new system, procedure or technology not specifically covered by these Technical Regulations, but which is deemed permissible by the FIA, will only be admitted until the end of the Championship during which it is introduced.

new technologynew systemsfia approvalinnovationseasonal restriction
2026 Season Regulations