During the British Grand Prix weekend, almost 5 months after its first and only appearance in the Bahrain pre-season testing, we can take a look at the mechanism that actuates the Macarena wing of the SF-26, a solution designed to optimize rear aerodynamics.
Ferrari: the aggressive approach as a trademark
The Maranello team’s aggressive approach is no longer a surprise as we reach race number 9 of the championship. It is a mindset primarily chosen by Technical Director Loic Serra, and supported by Lewis Hamilton himself, who has a history with the French-born engineer at Mercedes.
An attack-oriented action plan designed to shake off the fear of making mistakes. Indeed, there are several solutions where they immediately pushed to the limit, seeking to innovate by exploiting the gray areas of the new 2026 regulations to the fullest.
One of these is undoubtedly the innovative FTM exhaust, designed to manage rear downforce. In the illustration above, we can appreciate the comparison between the two versions greenlit by the team, which have revised the flap geometry over the course of the season.
Then there is the floor inlet, a crucial area of the car for generating the outwash effect. Here too, the work is interesting and destined to set a benchmark. In addition to the changes to the longitudinal profile separating the two channels, the outer section of the fence expands in width, exploiting the FIA regulatory box governing this section of the car.
Ferrari: actuator integrated into the rear endplate
Finally, we come to the Macarena wing. After the Chinese GP, Ferrari had modified the first version to make it more efficient and eliminate the delays in movement that made the car unstable during the closing phases of the element.Today, thanks to a picture taken by our colleague Roberto Chinchero, we can take a look at the internal elements.
The mechanism is directly integrated into the rear wing’s side endplate, unlike the Red Bull solution which preferred to keep the actuator in the classic, standard central position. The mechanism appears to be hydraulic, although an electrical component should not be ruled out.
Furthermore, according to the information gathered, a modification specifically to the actuator was introduced at Silverstone, capable of making the system even more effective and preventing issues related to closing times, guaranteeing the restoration of the base aerodynamic configuration during braking and achieving maximum safety.
