Ferrari arrived at the Formula 1 Chinese GP with unexpected technical novelties on its car. In addition to the already mentioned rear wing nicknamed “Macarena”, the Italian team confirmed an additional update on the SF-26 related to the halo.
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The modification was registered in the official updates document submitted to the FIA for the round held at the Shanghai International Circuit. According to the Maranello team, the novelty consists of the addition of a small winglet to the halo structure, with the aim of improving the car’s aerodynamic performance.
The rear wing, which drew attention in the paddock during pre-season testing in Bahrain, was once again a highlight at the start of the weekend in China. The component has an unconventional design, with an inverted configuration that quickly generated comments among teams and engineers.
The unusual shape ended up earning a curious nickname within the Formula 1 paddock. The part began to be informally called “Macarena”, a reference to the famous song released in 1993 by the Spanish duo Los Del Rio.
Initially, this aerodynamic update was not expected to appear so early in the season. Ferrari had planned to introduce the component only in the middle of the championship, but managed to bring forward the development schedule.
During the media day at the Chinese GP, Lewis Hamilton praised the work carried out by the Italian team to accelerate the production of the part. The seven-time champion highlighted the effort of the Maranello engineers so that the update would be available as early as the second round of the championship.
According to the driver, the anticipation of the new wing demonstrates Ferrari’s commitment to seeking performance right in the first races of the year. The introduction of updates so early can be an important factor in the technical battle of the season.
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Another curious detail involving the part was revealed behind the scenes in the paddock. According to information released during the weekend, the rear wing had to be transported to China in the luggage of team members.
This happened because the component was only ready shortly before the trip to Shanghai. As a result, the team had to resort to an improvised solution to ensure that the update reached the circuit in time.
In addition to the new rear wing, Ferrari officially confirmed the modification to the SF-26 halo. The small winglet added to the structure has a specific aerodynamic function within the car’s package.
In the document submitted to the FIA, the team explained that the change aims to recover a small amount of aerodynamic load for the car’s assembly. Even though it is a discreet change, this type of adjustment can contribute to improving the overall balance of the vehicle.
Updates of this type are common throughout the Formula 1 season, especially in areas that allow for incremental aerodynamic gains. In a championship marked by minimal performance margins, small improvements can make a significant difference on the track.
With these technical novelties, Ferrari seeks to maximize the potential of the SF-26 as early as the first rounds of the season. The Chinese GP, therefore, marks an important moment to evaluate the impact of these changes on the car’s performance in real racing conditions.
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