Shanghai – Ferrari opted not to utilize its innovative “Macarena” wing during the Chinese Grand Prix weekend, despite bringing the component to the Shanghai International Circuit. The wing, which features a 270-degree rotating profile, was tested during the first and only free practice session, but was subsequently removed from both cars, with the team reverting to a more conventional rear wing design. The decision, according to Ferrari Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur, was a precautionary measure focused on gathering data for future development.
The introduction of this novel aerodynamic element has generated significant interest within Formula 1, with the design quickly dubbed the “Macarena” wing due to its unique shape and movement. Ferrari’s ambition to deploy the wing so early in its development cycle – initially slated for introduction after five races – underscores the team’s aggressive push to improve performance and challenge Mercedes and Red Bull for dominance. However, the team prioritized a cautious approach during the Sprint weekend in China.
“We used FP1 to do a kind of test on the rear wing in terms of reliability and we decided not to leverage it today,” Vasseur explained to Sky Sport F1. “It’s more to do more kilometers with the wing for next week and then to take a definitive decision.” This suggests Ferrari intends to further analyze the data collected during the brief test session before committing to running the “Macarena” wing in a full race weekend.
The limited testing opportunities in the coming weeks further complicate the situation. With the Formula 1 calendar not currently scheduled to return to Bahrain or Jeddah, Ferrari will have only the three practice sessions at the Japanese Grand Prix to gather additional data and make a final determination on whether to deploy the innovative wing during a full race weekend. This makes the decision on the wing’s future all the more critical.
Lewis Hamilton, who recently joined the Scuderia, acknowledged the team’s efforts to bring the wing to China ahead of schedule. “I don’t really know why we went back,” Hamilton said after Sprint Qualifying. “I think it’s due to the fact that we rushed to have it here when it probably shouldn’t have been ready until race four or five, or something like that. So, they’ve done a great job to get it here in time.” He also noted that the wing appeared to offer the performance gains Ferrari was hoping for, despite its premature removal. “We only had two examples of the wing. And maybe for me it was a little premature to run it here. So, we took it off. The car was still fantastic. And we’ll work to try and bring it back when it’s ready.”
The team brought two examples of the rotating-profile wing to China, but ultimately deemed it too early for competitive use. Despite this, Hamilton emphasized the potential benefits of the new design, which was first seen during testing in Bahrain in February. ESPN reports that the wing is expected to provide a performance advantage.
The decision to revert to the conventional wing configuration for the remainder of the Chinese Grand Prix weekend highlights the delicate balance between innovation and reliability in Formula 1. Ferrari will now focus on analyzing the data collected during the brief test session and preparing for the next opportunity to evaluate the “Macarena” wing at the Japanese Grand Prix.
Looking ahead, Ferrari’s development path will be closely watched as they strive to unlock the full potential of this ambitious aerodynamic concept. The team’s ability to successfully integrate the “Macarena” wing into their car could prove crucial in their quest to challenge for race wins and championships. The next few races will be pivotal in determining whether this innovative design will deliver the performance gains Ferrari anticipates.
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