Ferrari's Innovative Rotating Rear Wing Proves Problematic at Shanghai
Ferrari's revolutionary 180-degree rotating rear wing made its return at the Chinese Grand Prix, but the innovative aerodynamic solution was abandoned after just the opening free practice session. Both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton tested the experimental wing design, which encountered significant issues during the limited running available on Friday.
The Scuderia brought back its ambitious rotating rear wing concept at the Shanghai circuit, having previously introduced the technology during pre-season testing. The device, capable of rotating a full 180 degrees, was evaluated by both drivers during FP1 – the sole practice opportunity afforded to teams across the Chinese Grand Prix weekend.
The experiment proved short-lived, however. Hamilton experienced a spin during the session when the wing mechanism closed unexpectedly, highlighting fundamental concerns about the system's reliability and performance characteristics. This incident appeared to convince Ferrari engineers that the innovative approach required further development before additional track time could be justified.
The decision to shelve the rotating wing after just one practice session underscores the challenges teams face when introducing genuinely novel aerodynamic concepts in competition. While the theoretical benefits of such a flexible design are clear, translating that potential into reliable, consistent on-track performance remains a significant engineering hurdle for the Italian team.
Original source
Motorsport.com
Related Regulations
Hover over badges for quick summaries, or scroll down for full official text and simplified explanations.
Full Regulation Text
Article B2.1.2
Free Practice Sessions - Alternative Format
Chapter: B2
In Simple Terms
On the first day of track running at a Grand Prix weekend, teams get one practice session called FP1 that lasts for 1 hour. This gives drivers and teams a chance to familiarize themselves with the track, test their cars, and gather data before the more important qualifying and race sessions.
- FP1 is held on the first day of track running
- Session duration is exactly 1 hour
- Used for initial setup testing and track familiarization
- Alternative format option for weekend structure
Official FIA Text
One 1-hour free practice session (FP1) on first day of track running.
Article C3.11.1
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.
Article C3.18.14
Rear Wing Skins
Chapter: C3
In Simple Terms
F1 rear wings must be rigid enough that their outer surfaces don't bend more than 2mm when a suction cup applies a pulling force to them. This test ensures wings stay stable and maintain their aerodynamic shape during races, preventing teams from using flexible wings as an unfair advantage.
- Rear wing skins can deflect no more than 2mm under 60N of force applied perpendicular to the wing surface
- A 50mm diameter vacuum cup is used to apply the test force
- Deflection is measured at the outer edge of the cup and compared to the lower wing surface at the same position along the wing
- The measurement point must be at least 300mm away from other reference points to ensure accurate testing
Official FIA Text
Skins of Rear Wing Profiles may deflect no more than 2mm when 60N force applied normal to and away from element. Force applied using vacuum cup of 50mm diameter. Deflection measured at outer diameter of cup and relative to lower wing surface at same X-Station, at least 300mm away.
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