Ferrari's Exhaust Wing Trick to Be Banned from 2027 F1 Season

Ferrari's innovative exhaust wing, mounted above the tailpipe to increase rear downforce, will be prohibited from the 2027 Formula 1 season. The design helped extend the effective length of the diffuser while smoothing airflow to the rear of the car, offering a significant performance gain that rivals eventually replicated. Although fully legal, the FIA has decided to close the loophole to prevent an expensive development war in a critical aerodynamic area.

Why it matters:

The exhaust wing gave Ferrari a unique edge because copying it required rivals to undertake costly redesigns of their rear crash structures. As Mercedes, Red Bull, and McLaren eventually overcame that barrier and adopted similar concepts, the risk of an escalating spending battle in this specific zone grew. By intervening now, the governing body aims to keep costs in check while maintaining a level playing field.

The details:

• Ferrari debuted the wing during 2026 pre-season testing, using it to boost diffuser performance and generate more rear downforce.
• Rival teams faced a significant hurdle in replicating the trick, as it required fundamental changes to the rear crash structure rather than a simple bolt-on upgrade.
• Despite this, Mercedes, Red Bull, and McLaren eventually followed suit with their own versions of the design.
• The FIA acknowledged the concept was legal under current rules but has opted to introduce an "exclusion zone" for 2027, effectively banning the wing's placement above the exhaust.
• The change comes after discussions between senior figures, with the governing body keen to shut down development opportunities in this high-value performance area.

What's next:

Teams must now look beyond this concept as they prepare for the 2027 regulations. Ferrari is already adjusting its approach, running the SF-26 without the controversial wing during Dino Beganovic's FP1 appearance at the Austrian Grand Prix. The ban marks the latest example of the FIA clamping down on inventive interpretations of the rulebook to control costs and keep competition balanced.