On the final day of pre-season testing in Bahrain, Mercedes drew attention by adding two distinctive ‘horns’ to the rear wing of Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s 2026 car.
The second test session in Bahrain saw a shift as teams began focusing more on performance, having already established reliability under the new 2026 regulations. While much of the early spotlight was on Ferrari’s new exhaust flap and rear wing design, Mercedes quietly introduced some changes of their own.
Much of the conversation around Mercedes had centred on their 2026 engine. The FIA is set to vote soon on whether to introduce new tests that would check compression ratios, ensuring they don’t exceed 16:1. If approved, these checks would begin in August.
But it wasn’t just the engine drawing attention by the end of testing. Many eyes were also on a rear-wing tweak that appeared on Friday – something that Motorsport.com noted was picking up plenty of interest throughout the paddock.
Mercedes draws attention with unique ‘horns’ on rear wing in test
Mercedes rolled out a new look on the final day of testing, debuting two small “horns” attached to the rear wing of their W17. This design, which hadn’t been seen before in F1, quickly sparked interest around the paddock because of its potential aerodynamic benefits.
The two flaps are positioned outside the DRS area and are fixed to the main plane by rigid arms. This isn’t something that would have fit within previous regulations, but changes for 2026 have given teams more room to experiment with innovative concepts like this one. By attaching the flaps directly to a non-moving part of the wing, Mercedes stays within the rules.
The design allows Mercedes to generate more downforce when in corner mode without adding much extra drag, which could improve both stability and traction through turns.
Antonelli hits trouble with pneumatic issue on final day of Bahrain pre-season test
Antonelli was out on track early in the day, running with flow-vis paint on the rear wing as Mercedes started to gather data on their new design. Later in the session, George Russell took over driving duties for the W17.
Mercedes have been working through a busy programme during the second test, evaluating new components and searching for more performance before the season begins. Alongside their updated rear wing, they also rolled out a revised floor during this phase of testing.
Antonelli’s session was cut short by a pneumatic issue that forced him to stop at Turn 10 just past the two-hour mark. Mercedes couldn’t get him back out before the session ended, limiting his track time on the final day.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
