Hamilton secures first Ferrari podium as 'Macarena' wing makes debut
Lewis Hamilton claimed his first podium with Ferrari at the Chinese Grand Prix, ending a 27-race wait. The achievement came as the team experimented with a new aerodynamic feature—the 'Macarena' wing—before removing it after the first practice session.
Ferrari introduced the 'Macarena' wing on their SF-24 car during free practice in China. The innovative design rotates roughly 270 degrees, reducing downforce and potentially creating lift on straight sections of the track.
However, the team removed the wing after FP1, citing concerns over reliability. Team principal Fred Vasseur explained that Ferrari had not yet logged enough mileage with the component. He stressed the need to verify its durability before committing to a full race weekend. Vasseur hinted that the wing could return as early as the next race in Japan. Hamilton, who praised Ferrari's work on the feature, expressed confidence in its eventual reintroduction once fully tested.
Hamilton's podium marks a turning point after a long stretch without a top-three finish. Meanwhile, Ferrari continues refining the 'Macarena' wing, aiming to balance performance gains with reliability. The team's next steps will determine whether the innovation becomes a permanent fixture in future races.
