Three 'Macarena' wings prepared for their debut in Hungary.
The ongoing competition regarding rotating rear wings in Formula 1 is expected to heat up in Hungary, with Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull all readying versions of the so-called 'Macarena' concept.
Ferrari is likely to unveil an improved version of the concept it initially introduced earlier this season. According to Auto Motor und Sport, the latest iteration aims to decrease drag when in an open position while increasing downforce when closed. The upper flap is said to include small extensions akin to what Mercedes has implemented, which will be beneficial at the high-downforce Hungaroring.
Red Bull is also set to bring back its own version after discontinuing it at Spa due to two concerning high-speed failures on Max Verstappen's car. Technical director Pierre Wache stated, "It’s a mechanical issue we identified following the Silverstone incident. We understand what occurred, and we’ve rectified it."
The FIA examined whether this concept posed broader safety concerns, but Wache mentioned that Red Bull has since clarified their corrective measures to the governing body. "We have shown the FIA what we have done. It is essential for us to exercise greater caution now. We are not looking to take any chances and want to ensure complete certainty."
McLaren will join the other teams in testing the rotating wing after they had to postpone its initial debut in Austria due to mechanical issues during assembly. The experimental wing will only be used in Friday practice in Hungary and is also not anticipated to race at Zandvoort, as McLaren aims for a potential competitive introduction at quicker circuits like Monza or Baku.
This wing is part of a more extensive upgrade for McLaren, which includes a completely new floor and additional aerodynamic modifications. Team principal Andrea Stella commented on the challenges of competing with Ferrari and Mercedes at the moment but expressed optimism about an increase in competitiveness starting in Hungary.
Stella believes this upgrade should help mitigate McLaren’s cornering shortcomings. "In both Budapest and Zandvoort, Ferrari will likely be the fastest again," he noted, citing their strong cornering speed and McLaren's need for better grip in that area. "These upgrades should assist us in that aspect. We’ve also planned new components for the subsequent races. I hope we can compete for victories again in the latter half of the season."
Furthermore, McLaren is optimistic that these modifications will help Oscar Piastri better leverage the car's potential. "The drivers often mention that this generation of race cars demands a specific driving style," Stella said. "If you drive too conservatively, it won't yield good lap times. You need to be aggressive and accept that the car will slide. A more active approach on the steering wheel is necessary."
Stella remarked that Lando Norris has adjusted to these demands more fluidly than Piastri. "However, we observe this trend with other teammates too, such as Antonelli and Russell, or sometimes Hamilton and Leclerc. I’m confident that we will find a solution, allowing Oscar’s full talent to be showcased once again," he added.
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