Last Updated on April 25 2026, 12:32 am
The Red Bull rear wing concept appears to outpace Ferrari’s “Macarena wing” in initial comparisons – Red Bull is believed to have made an aerodynamic breakthrough ahead of Ferrari after both teams tested versions of a new rotating rear wing concept during recent filming activities.
This development, informally dubbed the ‘Macarena wing’ due to its motion, is expected to generate discussion ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, with both teams preparing updated packages.
While the Italian team will certainly not be the only one introducing innovations, it is striking that Ferrari’s previously unveiled innovation is already being modified. The rotating rear wing is one of the components being tested at Monza.
This information comes from Motorsport.com. Ferrari’s rear wing provided one of the most striking images in the lead-up to the new Formula 1 season. It was quickly nicknamed the ‘Macarena wing’, in reference to Los del Río’s 1993 number one hit.
Silverstone filming day offers first comparison
On 23 April, Red Bull used a filming day at Silverstone to evaluate its own interpretation of the rotating rear flap concept that was first seen on Ferrari’s SF-26 during pre-season testing in Bahrain.
Although both designs follow the same aerodynamic principle of adjusting the behaviour of the rear wing through controlled rotation, the mechanical execution differs significantly between the two teams.
Early analysis of comparison material by RacingNews365 suggests that Red Bull’s solution may offer a more efficient operating window than Ferrari’s original version.
Ferrari’s early system reportedly struggled with activation delay issues
Ferrari’s version of the system, which was trialled during pre-season testing in Sakhir and again in limited running at Suzuka, reportedly struggled with integration in race-like conditions.
The key limitation was timing. The front and rear aerodynamic elements were not synchronised effectively, resulting in a delay between the front flap moving and the rear rotating element starting to turn.
The Ferrari mechanism reportedly required a rotation of around 270 degrees to complete its cycle. This resulted in slower activation and return times compared to more conventional solutions, making consistent deployment within the performance window challenging.
Consequently, the system has not yet been used in competitive conditions in its original form.
Red Bull has reduced the rotation angle and simplified the mechanism
Red Bull’s approach appears to address this core weakness directly. Rather than replicating Ferrari’s full rotation philosophy, the Milton Keynes-based team is believed to have altered the direction and range of movement.
Simulations suggest that the Red Bull rear element rotates in the opposite direction to Ferrari’s, through an angle of around 160 degrees.
This smaller range of movement significantly reduces activation and reset time, enabling the system to operate more efficiently in dynamic track conditions.
Crucially, this suggests that Red Bull may have avoided the need for more complex mechanical synchronisation between the front and rear aerodynamic devices, prioritising simplicity and speed of response instead.
Early indications point to a performance advantage
While both systems remain in the experimental stage, the initial interpretation of the Silverstone data suggests that Red Bull’s version may already be an improvement on Ferrari’s initial concept.
The main advantage lies in responsiveness. Faster activation and a shorter cycle time can provide more consistent aerodynamic gains, particularly on circuits with heavy braking zones and frequent opportunities for DRS-style deployment.
Meanwhile, Ferrari continues to refine its concept, having already trialled modifications at Monza aimed at improving airflow control and stability.
Both teams are expected to bring further developments to Miami, where a real-world comparison under competitive conditions could provide a clearer picture of their relative performance.
Wider upgrade battle building ahead of Miami
Ferrari’s update programme is not limited to the rear wing concept; adjustments are also expected to the front wing and floor, as the team adapts to the current regulatory window.
Red Bull is also assessing whether the revised rear wing concept will be included in its Miami package, depending on correlation data from Silverstone.
Meanwhile, McLaren is preparing a significantly revised car for the Miami weekend, and Mercedes remains the benchmark for early-season performance following their strong showing in the opening races.
With multiple teams focusing on aerodynamic innovation in the same area, the Miami Grand Prix will be an early test to see which interpretation of the rotating rear wing concept delivers the most usable performance on the track.
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A Brazilian motorsport writer with a background in sports journalism and broadcast reporting, Treze brings cultural insight and on-the-ground knowledge of South American racing. With credentials in communications and journalism, Treze connects today’s Formula 1 with the enduring legacy of Ayrton Senna.
