Ferrari’s SF-26 Unveils Another Trick -- The ‘Exhaust Wing’ | All You Need To Know

Last Updated:February 21, 2026, 23:43 IST

Ferrari unveiled a mini beam wing behind the SF-26 exhaust in Bahrain, exploiting a regulatory loophole for aerodynamic gains.

Innovation never sleeps at Scuderia Ferrari.

While the rotating rear wing has grabbed the headlines, Ferrari quietly rolled out another eyebrow-raising feature during final pre-season testing in Bahrain: a small aerodynamic flick-up mounted directly behind the exhaust of the SF-26.

On the opening morning of running, the Italian team revealed what looks like a mini beam wing: a throwback element positioned in the exhaust plume.

It’s subtle. It’s unconventional. And it’s already stirring debate.

A Clever Loophole?

Beam wings were banned under the 2026 regulations, making their reappearance, even in miniature form, particularly intriguing. The new piece sits in a tightly regulated area of the rear bodywork, but appears to exploit allowances around rear wing pylons to remain within the rules.

The FIA has reportedly reviewed the design and deemed it compliant for now.

Visually crude but technically fascinating, the winglet is believed to be constructed from heat-resistant material rather than standard carbon fibre, given its placement directly in the hot exhaust flow.

What’s the Gain?

The concept is likely aimed at two aerodynamic benefits:

• Harnessing exhaust gases to energise airflow over the rear wing
• Extending diffuser performance, boosting rear downforce

With drivers now holding lower gears through corners to maximise energy harvesting, keeping revs artificially high, the exhaust plume becomes a more consistent aerodynamic tool. The potential gains could be meaningful.

The idea echoes the early 2010s blown-diffuser era, most famously exploited by Red Bull Racing during Sebastian Vettel’s title-winning dominance.

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