Ferrari discover genius 'loophole' at Bahrain test that no other F1 team thought of
Ferrari have been spotted using a smart new upgrade to their exhaust wing in the final hours of testing before the 2026 Formula One season.
The countdown to the 2026 F1 season is on, with the Australian Grand Prix set to kick off the new campaign in just three weeks.
Ahead of the first race of the season in Melbourne, all 11 teams competing in the 2026 season have been taking part in extensive testing sessions to adjust to the new regulations.
Across one week in Barcelona and two weeks in Bahrain, all 22 drivers have completed several laps, with some teams performing better than others.
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Among the biggest winners of the pre-season is Ferrari, who appear to have taken things up another level by bringing a new upgrade to the final day of testing.
Throughout testing in Bahrain, Ferrari have been trying out different tweaks to their car in order to decide exactly how the car will be set up for the opening race in Australia.
In the final day of testing, this led to them brining in a new flick-up sitting behind the exhaust.
Cleverly, Ferrari have cleverly discovered a loophole in the regulations to use allowances within the regulations to place the wing in an area of the rear tail where bodywork is typically heavily restricted.
It allows them to get past one of the biggest changes in the regulations this year that saw the banning of beam wings at the rear, a common part of previous cars.
In the rules, teams are permitted to place an aerodynamic device in that area of the car as long as it doesn't exceed 60mm from the axle.
Normally, this means that the device cannot go beyond the end of the exhaust.
The new wing sits on the Rear Impact Structure and is believed to to be using hot air from the exhaust to give the car some extra downforce.
Alternatively, it could be used to help divert exhaust gases that could get in the way with the rear wing air flow.
Should Ferrari continue to improve in the build-up to the season opener in a few weeks, we could finally see Charles Leclerc win his maiden championship title or teammate Lewis Hamilton clinch a record eighth World Drivers' Championship title.
Ben McCrum