Jun.24 (GMM) McLaren will become the third Formula 1 team to use the so-called ‘Macarena’ rear wing concept at this weekend’s Austrian GP.
Ferrari and Red Bull have already introduced versions of the concept, whose upper rear-wing flap rotates through almost 270 degrees in low-drag mode, ending up completely upside down at high speed.
Now McLaren will evaluate its own interpretation during Friday running at Spielberg.
“We’re always looking to make refinements that add performance and lap time to the car,” said technical director of applied engineering Neil Houldey.
“For this event, we’ve focused on minor detail updates around the car’s rear corners, as well as an experimental rear wing that will run throughout Friday’s sessions.
“While the overall package is lighter than some of our recent updates, these developments are all part of our season-long development pathway.”
McLaren technical chief Rob Marshall recently admitted he was initially surprised when Ferrari first unveiled the concept.
“Everyone saw it and thought ‘Oh, ok, yeah, that’s all right. We’re sure that’s legal?'”
“‘Yeah, it is,’ Ok then, well done.”
The development battle is becoming increasingly important under Formula 1’s young 2026 regulations.
“Updates are certainly more effective at this stage of regulation,” former Red Bull adviser Dr Helmut Marko told Kleine Zeitung ahead of the Austrian GP, for which he is an ambassador.
“You can win five-tenths in one fell swoop.”
For instance, Ferrari’s recent surge may not be due solely to the major aerodynamic package that helped Lewis Hamilton win in Barcelona.
According to Auto Motor und Sport, the Italian team was also using a new rear wheel rim design that escaped notice because it did not appear on the FIA’s list of declared upgrades.
The report claims the revised rims improve heat dissipation from the rear tyres, helping control tyre temperatures and pressure more effectively.
The development was made possible by a winter rule change that ended the previous standardised wheel rim regulations. The report suggests McLaren may have therefore lost one of its traditional strengths.