Ferrari Abandons Experimental Rear Wing Design Following Shanghai Evaluation
Ferrari has decided to discontinue its cutting-edge rotating rear wing concept and return to traditional aerodynamic solutions for the SF-26. The brief test of the innovative system at Shanghai proved insufficient for the Scuderia to commit to the technology going forward.
The Scuderia Ferrari has made the decision to shelve its experimental rotating rear wing design, moving back toward a more conventional rear wing setup on its SF-26 chassis. The innovative aerodynamic component, which had generated considerable interest within the paddock, received a limited evaluation during the Shanghai event but ultimately fell short of the team's expectations for further development and implementation.
This marks a pragmatic shift in Ferrari's technical direction this season, as the engineers determined that the rotating wing concept did not deliver the anticipated performance benefits or reliability improvements necessary to justify continued integration into the car's design. By reverting to the established rear wing configuration, the Italian team aims to focus its development efforts on other areas of the SF-26 that show greater promise for competitive gains.
The decision underscores the reality of Formula 1 development, where innovative concepts must demonstrate clear advantages to warrant the significant engineering resources and homologation requirements needed for full implementation.
Original source
F1i
Related Regulations
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Full Regulation Text
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.
Article C3.9.1
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.
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