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Fred Vasseur implements strategy to encourage Ferrari risk-taking

Motorsport.com • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 31, 2026, 8:02 AM

Last updated Aug 31, 2026

Fred Vasseur implements strategy to encourage Ferrari risk-taking

Summary

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has pushed the team to adopt a more aggressive technical approach during the 2026 Formula 1 season. The push for innovation was evident during winter testing in Bahrain this past February. The SF-26 car arrived at the circuit with a unique vane located behind the exhaust pipe, internally identified as the FTM. By the second day of testing, the team introduced a rear wing design capable of rotating 180 degrees between cornering and straight-line configurations. These technical departures signaled a shift in the Scuderia's development philosophy under Vasseur's leadership. The modifications aim to improve the performance characteristics of the current car platform through unconventional engineering solutions.

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Motorsport.com

By the Numbers

•Fred Vasseur directed Ferrari to increase risk-taking for the 2026 campaign.
•The SF-26 debuted in February with a specialized exhaust vane.
•Engineers introduced a rotating rear wing design during Bahrain winter testing.
•Technical changes suggest a move away from conservative design practices.

Latest Updates

8:02 AMMotorsport.com — Exclusive - Fred Vasseur explains how he challenged Ferrari to take more risks

What they're saying

"
When Ferrari took to the track in February at the official start of winter testing in Bahrain, the Scuderia's 2026 challenger immediately turned heads. The SF-26 featured an intriguing vane behind the exhaust pipe on day one, internally named FTM, and the next day it debuted an even more eye-catching rear wing that rotated 180 degrees between cornering mode and straight mode, quickly dubbed the ...Keep reading
— Motorsport.com

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