Fred Vasseur implements strategy to encourage Ferrari risk-taking
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 1, 2026, 1:00 PM
Last updated Sep 1, 2026
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.
- •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.
- 1:00 PMMotorsport.com — Rivals copying Ferrari F1 aero designs "a good reward" for Maranello
- 8:02 AMMotorsport.com — Exclusive - Fred Vasseur explains how he challenged Ferrari to take more risks
"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
"Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur says rival teams copying its innovative Formula 1 designs is a "good reward" for Maranello. Ferrari came into the 2026 regulations cycle with a striking car, the SF-26, which featured a number of intriguing areas of innovation. At winter testing in Bahrain, the team attached a winglet to the structure behind the exhaust, internally dubbed Flick Tail Mode ...Keep reading
Sources
External links- Motorsport.comSep 1, 2026, 1:00 PMRivals copying Ferrari F1 aero designs "a good reward" for Maranello
Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur says rival teams copying its innovative Formula 1 designs is a "good reward" for Maranello. Ferrari came into the 2026 regulations cycle with a striking car, the SF-26, which featured a number of intriguing areas of innovation. At winter testing in Bahrain, the team attached a winglet to the structure behind the exhaust, internally dubbed Flick Tail Mode ...Keep reading
- Motorsport.comAug 31, 2026, 8:02 AMExclusive - Fred Vasseur explains how he challenged Ferrari to take more risks
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
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