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Ferrari Shelves Experimental Wing Design Following Underwhelming Chinese GP Unveiling

Ferrari has decided to bench its unconventional inverted rear wing configuration for the remainder of the Chinese Grand Prix weekend after an initial appearance that Lewis Hamilton characterized as premature. The Scuderia opted to withdraw the innovative aerodynamic solution following its debut on track.

Ferrari Shelves Experimental Wing Design Following Underwhelming Chinese GP Unveiling
Formula 1

The Prancing Horse has made the decision to shelve its daring inverted rear wing concept for the duration of this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix, following what proved to be a less-than-ideal first outing. Lewis Hamilton, who got his first look at the experimental aerodynamic device, suggested that the timing of its introduction may have been rushed, describing the debut as "a little bit premature."

The bold wing design, which inverts traditional aerodynamic principles, failed to deliver the expected impact during its initial deployment at the Shanghai circuit. Rather than continue with the concept through the remainder of the weekend, Ferrari has elected to revert to conventional setups, effectively parking the radical experiment for now.

This cautious approach reflects the team's pragmatic response to early performance data gathered from track running. The decision underscores Ferrari's willingness to pivot strategy when initial results from developmental components fall short of expectations, prioritizing reliable performance over persisting with unproven innovations.

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Full Regulation Text

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 C3.9.1

FIA Source

Tail

Chapter: C3

In Simple Terms

The rear wing and tail section must fit within a defined three-dimensional space called RV-TAIL. When looking at the car from underneath, the tail must be completely hidden behind the floor up to a certain point. Below a specific height, the tail can have up to three separate sections.

  • Entire tail bodywork must stay within the RV-TAIL boundary box
  • Tail must be fully obscured by the floor when viewed from below, forward of XR = 295mm
  • Below Z = 450mm height, teams can have maximum three sections in any horizontal plane
  • Violations relate to aerodynamic device sizing and positioning regulations
Official FIA Text

Tail Bodywork must lie in its entirety within RV-TAIL, when viewed from below be fully obscured by Floor Body forward of XR = 295, and below Z = 450 have up to three sections in any Z-Plane.

tail bodyworkrear wingrv-tailfloor obscuredaerodynamic device
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