FIA makes final Decision on Macarena Wing Ban After Scary Max Verstappen Crashes

FIA Confirms Decision on Macarena Wing Ban After Scary Max Verstappen Crashes

The FIA has confirmed that Formula 1’s controversial “Macarena” rear-wing concept will remain legal, despite concerns raised after two incidents involving Max Verstappen earlier in the 2026 season.

The rotating rear wing attracted significant attention after Verstappen suffered crashes at the Austrian and British Grands Prix. Both incidents were linked to problems involving Red Bull’s version of the innovative aerodynamic system, prompting the FIA to seek further information from Red Bull and Ferrari.

The concept, which allows part of the rear wing to rotate rather than simply operating in the conventional manner, was introduced as teams looked for additional aerodynamic efficiency under Formula 1’s new technical regulations. Ferrari pioneered its own interpretation, while Red Bull subsequently developed a different version.

The FIA’s investigation was therefore aimed primarily at understanding how the systems behaved during potential failures and whether they continued to satisfy the required safety standards. Contrary to some speculation, the governing body did not conclude that the overall concept should be prohibited.

Verstappen’s problems nevertheless exposed weaknesses in Red Bull’s particular implementation. During qualifying in Austria, a rear-wing issue contributed to a significant off-track incident. A similar problem then affected the Dutch driver during the British Grand Prix, when the rear wing failed to close correctly and he ended up in the gravel.

Following those incidents, Red Bull chose to temporarily abandon its rotating design and return to a more conventional rear wing while engineers investigated the cause. The team subsequently identified a mechanical problem and worked on modifications before bringing the updated system back into competition.

Ferrari’s design, meanwhile, remained in use. The two teams’ systems may share the same basic idea, but their mechanical constructions are different, meaning the FIA did not treat the incidents as evidence that every version of the concept was inherently unsafe.

FIA technical director Nikolas Tombazis has now clarified that the “Macarena” concept was never facing an outright ban. The governing body wanted to make sure the technology met the necessary safety requirements, rather than eliminate the concept from Formula 1.

The decision represents an important development in the 2026 technical battle. Teams are continuing to search for aerodynamic advantages, but the Verstappen incidents have also demonstrated how new technology can create unexpected reliability challenges.

For Red Bull, the focus will now be on ensuring its revised system operates consistently. Ferrari, meanwhile, can continue developing its own interpretation without the threat of a general FIA prohibition.

Ultimately, the FIA’s decision means the “Macarena” rear wing will remain part of Formula 1’s technical landscape. The controversy surrounding Verstappen’s crashes has therefore resulted in closer scrutiny and technical improvements rather than a complete ban on the innovative concept.