Ferrari has given us the first look at its redesigned Macarena rear wing, which is a piece from Formula 1 rival McLaren’s playbook with some new winglet cascades.
As part of its efforts to increase downforce for the Hungarian Grand Prix, Ferrari took the opportunity to add some additional aerodynamic elements to the legal block where the rear wing activator would normally be located.
This was a move that many teams opted for at the Monaco Grand Prix (but not Ferrari), where they replaced drivetrains with winglets.
Perhaps well aware of the missed opportunities at Monaco, Ferrari has now joined the trend of creating a Hungaroring circuit where downforce is more important than reducing drag on the straights.
As part of the redesign, the company introduced a series of three-piece center wings that are very similar to the version McLaren used at Monaco.
In addition to this winglet, Ferrari has also introduced several additional hangars above the upper element of the rear wing, which will also help increase downforce.
Ferrari isn’t the only one upgrading this part of the car, with McLaren preparing to run its own Macarena wing on track for the first time during the race weekend.
The team had planned to trial the low-drag wing at the Austrian Grand Prix, but it was removed from the MCL40 before the car left the garage after some problems were discovered.
Following modifications worked on at the Woking factory, an updated version of the design was fitted to Oscar Piastri’s car ahead of open practice.
While no images of the wing in action have yet surfaced, it does have a different attachment to the activator that will allow it to fully flip.
McLaren plans to test the wing only in Hungary this weekend before returning to its normal design for qualifying.
If the idea works, then most likely he will make his first appearance at the Italian Grand Prix.
Mercedes is also going to use a new specification rear wing in Hungary, which has additional winglets on top of the top flap.