F1TECH: Ferrari’s rotating rear wing steals the spotlight as Hamilton debuts SF‑26 innovation in Bahrain

Ferrari ignited the biggest talking point of the Bahrain test today when Lewis Hamilton took to the track with a striking new rear‑wing mechanism on the SF‑26—one that visibly rotated as the car transitioned between straights and corners.

The dramatic movement, captured by cameras around the circuit, instantly became the standout moment of the session and offered the clearest real‑world glimpse yet of Formula 1’s incoming active‑aero era.

During Hamilton’s early laps, the upper element of the rear wing could be seen shifting its angle in a smooth but unmistakable rotation. As the car approached the braking zone, the wing pivoted into a steeper, high‑downforce configuration; once Hamilton accelerated onto the straights, the element flattened again, adopting a low‑drag profile designed to maximise top speed.

This was no malfunction. Under the 2026 regulations, teams are permitted to adjust both front and rear wing elements dynamically throughout the lap.

Unlike the outgoing DRS system—which simply opened a flap in designated zones—the new rules allow for more advanced aerodynamic optimisation, enabling the car to maintain aerodynamic balance at times when the “straight line mode” is active on the car.

Ferrari’s interpretation appears to be one of the most aggressive so far. The SF‑26’s rotating wing made the aerodynamic shift highly visible, prompting immediate reactions from fans, engineers, and rival teams.

Some observers initially questioned whether the movement indicated a structural issue, but the consistency of the rotation and the timing of the transitions made it clear that this was a deliberate, highly engineered system.

Hamilton’s running was limited by technical issues unrelated to the wing, but the few laps he completed were enough to send the paddock into analysis mode. The visual clarity of Ferrari’s mechanism has already sparked debate about how different teams are approaching active aero, and whether such bold designs will become the norm as development accelerates through the season.