New Aero Details in China: Ferrari Tests a Winglet on the Halo, Audi Revamps Front Wing and Nose – Some Teams Skip Updates Entirely At the second race weekend of the 2026 Formula 1 season in China, the teams are deploying the first real technical updates of the year—and, as was the case during testing in Bahrain, Ferrari is surprising everyone.
The legendary Italian team has already caused a stir with an exhaust winglet and, above all, with the “Macarena” rear wing. Now Ferrari is adding a Halo winglet: A transparent plastic component featuring two small, upward-pointing air deflectors is now attached to the front bar of the cockpit protection.
In the official update document from the International Automobile Federation (FIA), Ferrari itself refers to a “minor update” that was not introduced for a specific track. “This winglet simply provides a small aerodynamic advantage.” Ferrari did not provide further details. Presumably, the new part serves to direct air more efficiently around the driver’s helmet toward the rear wing.
Speaking of the rear wing: After Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc tested the “Macarena” rear wing in free practice, it was swapped out for a conventional rear wing for the Sprint Qualifying in Shanghai. The race debut of the “rotating wing” is thus still a long way off.
Ferrari’s customer team Haas, meanwhile, has followed Ferrari’s lead and also introduced an exhaust winglet in China, similar to the one Ferrari has been using since winter testing. “The winglet is intended to generate additional downforce,” the team explained in the FIA document.
Formula 1 newcomer Audi, on the other hand, optimized the front end of its R26: In Shanghai, a new nose design and a modified front wing with new flaps are in use to improve aerodynamic performance. Specifically, this involves the airflow along the front of the car toward the sidepods.
Cadillac also traveled to China with new parts: The U.S. team realigned the winglets next to the diffuser at the level of the rear axle “to generate more downforce at this point. This, in turn, improves the overall downforce at the rear of the car,” Cadillac explained. In addition, the rearview mirror mount was modified.
Racing Bulls has also focused on the rear and improved the winglets on the rear brake ducts. The new alignment is intended to optimize airflow around the rear wheels.
Alpine, Aston Martin, McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull, and Williams have not submitted any technical updates for China.