Will Buxton believes Ferrari’s 180-degree rear wing could be a game-changer in 2026 title fight

Ferrari’s new rear wing could end up being a real difference-maker for them in the 2026 F1 season, if everything falls into place.

The car stood out at times during testing, posting some of the best top speeds we saw in Bahrain.

Even though the power unit was still behind Mercedes, Ferrari made up ground thanks to some serious straight-line speed. And that edge came from a clever tweak to their rear wing design.

The new wing can be flipped around 180 degrees, cutting down drag when needed and giving them an extra boost on the straights.

If Ferrari can get this system working just right, it could give them a real advantage over the rest of the field this year.

They finished fifth in last year’s constructors’ standings but have come out swinging with a strong pre-season showing. Whether that carries over into race weekends remains to be seen, but early signs are certainly positive.

Will Buxton thinks rotating rear wing could be a major Ferrari advantage

Speaking on the SPEED Podcast, Will Buxton touched on Ferrari’s new rear wing design, which made its debut during testing, and how it fits into the updated regulations.

Buxton noted that due to its distinctiveness, other teams may find it hard to copy. If it works as intended, it could give Ferrari a significant advantage this year.

“Day one, they’ve got this extra winglet… Which is exhaust-blown. Very, very smart. It’s well within the regulations. The little winglet is another thing,” Buxton said.

“It gives them a little bit of extra downforce through the corners. That’s great, but it’ll give them drag down the straights. Day 2, they turn up with this wing… What Ferrari have done is not just open the wing but flipping it. The second test, it flips 180. You’re not just reducing drag; you’re creating lift.

“That secondary wing by the exhaust is then creating a little bit of downforce just to balance it out because you don’t want to lift the rear tyres off the ground.

“It’s so smart. It’s very, very difficult to replicate now for all of the other teams. If Ferrari have found something, that could be the silver bullet. With a new set of regulations; one team is going to find something.”

Why the New F1 Regulations May Suit Lewis Hamilton’s Driving Style

Buxton went on to say that the changes in regulations, along with Ferrari’s rear wing innovation, have led to a car setup that should play right into Hamilton’s strengths.

“The way these cars drive. Much looser at the rear. We’ve seen cars four-wheel drifting in testing. That’s a car that Lewis Hamilton loves.”

Even with the speed advantage offered by their new rear wing, Ferrari have decided not to start the season with it. Instead, they plan to reintroduce it later in the campaign.

The team isn’t worried about any rule violations regarding their 180-degree design. Still, they’re choosing a more conservative approach by beginning the year with a modified DRS flap.