Ferrari drew a lot of attention during testing in Bahrain when it introduced a different rear wing design, with Lewis Hamilton using the system in his first laps on track. When the active aerodynamics were switched on, the upper flap of the rear wing did not open in the usual DRS style. Instead, it flipped up and rotated by 270 degrees, almost turning upside down on the straight and clearly changing the way the wing worked.

At the start of the week Ferrari had tested a more normal version, similar to the old DRS, but later returned to this new idea to collect more data. The team is now comparing both options to see which one gives better results. Team principal Frederic Vasseur said it is still only a test part, yet he did not rule out using it in races if it proves to be an advantage.

When the system is activated, the wing creates lift, working in a similar way to an aircraft wing. This helps reduce drag and increase top speed on the straights. In the corners, the wing goes back to its normal position to provide the downforce needed for grip. The goal is simple. Keep the car strong and stable in corners, but make it as fast as possible on the straights.

The new rules allow teams more freedom than before. Under the old DRS system there were strict limits on how the wing could open. Now designers can try different solutions. FIA single seater technical director Nikolas Tombazis said this was done on purpose. “We have, generally speaking, encouraged solutions that reduce drag,” he explained. He also said the old limits “have not been maintained this year” to “give more freedom”, and added that “the Ferrari solution, we believe, is okay.”

There are still rules about how quickly the wing must move and how it must look from certain angles, but the FIA’s first reaction is positive. Ferrari will now study the data carefully before making a final decision, yet the new rear wing has already become one of the main talking points of the test.