During 2026 Formula 1 pre‑season testing in Bahrain, Ferrari drew attention by trying out a new rear wing design on its SF‑26 car that can flip about 180 degrees when activated, a setup unlike traditional systems and allowed under the sport’s new active aero rules.
Instead of just lifting like a classic DRS‑style element, the upper flap rotates fully, inverting its shape to change the airflow and potentially reduce drag on long straights, which could boost top‑end performance.
This unique mechanism moves around the center pivot rather than the ends, giving the wing a very different profile when open compared to conventional designs.
Ferrari’s innovation has sparked interest across the paddock, showing how teams are exploiting the greater aerodynamic freedom in the 2026 regulations, but it is currently just a test item rather than a confirmed race‑use feature.
Note: Active aerodynamics now replace the old DRS system and allow both front and rear aero elements to change dynamically as cars run on track.