Ferrari SF-26 active aero: Viral rear wing design stuns at Bahrain testing

Ferrari’s new rear wing on their SF‑26 has fans and the F1 world in a row after their active aerodynamics was on full display today in Bahrain during testing.

In a short video clip shared online, the rear wing on the Ferrari can be seen rotating as the car moves from a straight into the corner. The IBM logo on the rear wing can be seen rotating, clearly depicting the new mode flipping through as the car corners.

This dramatic motion isn’t just for show, it’s a demonstration of 2026’s active aero downforce system, a fundamental shift in Formula 1 aerodynamic philosophy.

Under the new regulations, teams can vary the wing angles on both the front and rear of the car to optimise performance through a lap. Traditionally, systems like the Drag Reduction System (DRS) allowed only rear wing flap movement in certain zones.

Thursday’s active aero on the SF‑26 shows a much more dynamic concept: a wing capable of rapidly transitioning between high downforce for cornering and ultra‑low drag for straights.

As the Ferrari exits a straight and enters a corner, the rear wing rotates, visibly flipping its angle to switch from a low‑drag profile to one that generates downforce.

This provides the mechanical grip needed in corners while still reducing aerodynamic resistance on the straights. The rotating wing visually underlines how the active aero system is now integral to car balance and lap time optimisation, rather than a one‑dimensional drag hack.

Fans and pundits were taken aback by how visible and aggressive Ferrari’s implementation looked on camera. Some initially questioned if it was a failure, but the rotating IBM logo told a different story: a purposeful and optimized aero transition.

Whether this concept becomes a staple for the season remains to be seen, but Ferrari’s bold display in Bahrain has already highlighted the direction of F1 innovation, where aerodynamics are alive and constantly evolving, and every fraction of downforce counts.

Jehran Naidoo is sports reporter with focus on motorsport for Independent Media and editor of the social media channel The Clutch