Ferrari reveal second upgrade after bringing ‘macarena’ wing to Chinese GP
Photo: Race Pictures
Updated: 08:27, 13 Mar
1 Comments
Henry Eccles is a freelance Formula 1 journalist for GPblog, covering breaking news, live race blogs, and features across the F1 calendar. Since joining in 2026, he has produced high-volume reporting on the sport’s biggest stories, alongside feature pieces including analysis and historical content.
Ferrari have introduced yet another upgrade at the Chinese Grand Prix to go along with the ‘macarena’ 270° rear wing that shocked the paddock during Bahrain winter testing.
Ferrari are the only team out of the traditional front runners to bring upgrades to Shanghai, while other teams further down the grid have also made changes, including newcomers Audi and Cadillac.
Ferrari have started the season looking like the most likely challengers to Mercedes’ early dominance in 2026, and their P3 and P4 finish in the season opener in Melbourne may have been improved upon had it not been for questionable strategy decisions under two VSCs.
Ferrari introduce halo ‘winglet’, as Audi bring front wing upgrades
Photo: Race Pictures
ADVERTISEMENT
The new minor upgrade in question for Ferrari has been revealed in the FIA ‘Car Presentation Submissions’ as a winglet added to the halo pillar.
The FIA document notes it is not an upgrade specific to China, and will return a “small aerodynamic load benefit.”
Elsewhere, Audi have brought two new upgrades, an updated front wing flap and end plate - improving air flow characteristics through the car - as well as an updated nose design, which “allows a more efficient load extraction all along the slope.”
Racing Bulls have brought a modification to brake duct winglets, helping to improve flow management at the back of the car and around the rear tyre, while Haas have introduced a small winglet on top of the rear impact structure to “promote upwash,” improving aero characteristics and increasing load.
Cadillac have made trailing edge detail changes to their diffuser, increasing aerodynamic load both on the winglet cascade and overall at the rear, while a structural improvement, namely to the mirror, has also been introduced following the Australian GP.
ADVERTISEMENT
Lewis Hamilton fears Ferrari's 'huge gap' to Mercedes in one key area
For all of their early season upgrades, it is still assumed Mercedes are ahead of Ferrari in the pecking order, after a commanding one-two win in Australia.
Speaking to media in Shanghai, including GPblog, Lewis Hamilton was asked whether Mercedes' dominance was fundamental or possibly track dependent, with the Briton choosing to focus on his former team's straight line speed in particular.
GPblog's latest F1 Paddock Update
ADVERTISEMENT
Want to stay up-to-date with what happens in the F1 paddock? Then GPblog's F1 Paddock Update video is the perfect way to do it. Subscribe to GPblog's YouTube channel and turn on notifications to never miss the latest episodes.
Read also
Read more about:
latest news
Miami Grand Prix
Overview
Friday 01.05.26
Practice 1
04:00 PM
Sprint Qualification
08:30 PM
Saturday 02.05.26
Sprint Race
04:00 PM
Qualification
08:00 PM
Sunday 03.05.26
Race
08:00 PM
Friday 01.05.26
Practice 1
Fri 04:00 PM
Sprint Qualification
Fri 08:30 PM
Saturday 02.05.26
Sprint Race
Sat 04:00 PM
Qualification
Sat 08:00 PM
Sunday 03.05.26
Race
Sun 08:00 PM
Times are in your local timezone
Popular on GPBlog
1
F1 Today: Horner delivers update on future, Miami GP schedule shaken up
2369 times read
2
Shocking amateur footage shows Jos Verstappen's massive rally crash
1499 times read
3
MotoGP Spanish GP Full Results: Alex shines, Marc Marquez crashes out
1430 times read
4
MotoGP 2026 Championship Standings after the Spanish Grand Prix
1411 times read
F1-stand 2026
Season
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | MercedesMER | 72 | |
2 | MercedesMER | 63 | |
3 | FerrariFER | 49 | |
4 | FerrariFER | 41 | |
5 | McLarenMCL | 25 | |
6 | McLarenMCL | 21 | |
7 | HaasHAA | 17 | |
8 | AlpineALP | 15 | |
9 | Red Bull RacingRBR | 12 | |
10 | Racing BullsRCB | 10 |
Loading
