F1
Published on July 16, 2026 at 15:45 PM by Oléna Champlain

F1 – After two Verstappen crashes, Red Bull would remove its controversial “Macarena” wing at Spa.

Max Verstappen's two crashes have reportedly prompted Red Bull to revise its plans. According to BBC Sport, this information has been picked up by several outlets. AS et MotorsportThe Austrian team is expected to abandon its rotating "Macarena" rear wing as early as the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps. However, no official statement has been released to confirm this decision.

 

Verstappen raises the alarm

Red Bull The team has reportedly decided to take no further risks with its controversial rotating rear wing. For the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, the Milton Keynes-based team is expected to abandon the device nicknamed "Macarena" and revert to a more conventional configuration.

This decision, reported notably by the British press, has not yet been the subject of an official statement from RedBull. However, it seems logical after the two incidents suffered by Max Verstappen during previous race weekends.

The first warning came in Austria, where the Dutchman lost control of his car during qualifying. Two weeks later, the problem recurred much more dramatically during the British Grand Prix. While battling for a podium finish at Silverstone, Verstappen went off into the gravel at Stowe after a sudden loss of rear grip. His retirement brought out the safety car.

After his off-track excursion, the four-time world champion did not try to downplay the situation. He explained that the rear wing did not return to its correct position when the system closed, resulting in a significant reduction in aerodynamic downforce.

"In the corner, the rear wing doesn't fully reattach and you lose a lot of downforce. You simply spin out.", he explained.

Verstappen had particularly emphasized the danger posed by this repeated failure.

"At this stage, it's extremely dangerous. I could have easily injured myself twice. I was lucky in Austria and again here."

Particularly harsh words that have placed Red Bull under pressure. Laurent mekiesThe team director acknowledged that his driver had every reason to be unhappy and promised that the team would leave "no stone unturned" to understand the origin of the problem.

Spa, the worst place to tempt fate

The return to a conventional solution makes even more sense at Spa-Francorchamps. The Belgian circuit is among the fastest on the calendar, with very high-speed sections such as Eau Rouge, Raidillon, Blanchimont, and Pouhon.

Another sudden loss of support in one of these sectors could have far more serious consequences than simply retiring. In this context, continuing with a system already implicated in two accidents would have been a difficult gamble to justify.

Red Bull would therefore prefer to temporarily forgo the hoped-for aerodynamic advantage in order to secure the handling of the single-seater. Verstappen.

A withdrawal, but no official ban

It is also necessary to distinguish the alleged decision from Red Bull of a possible regulatory intervention. At this stage, the FIA did not announce a ban on this wing for the Belgian Grand Prix.

The body would, however, study the rear rotating systems used by Red Bull et Classic Ferrari for sale, particularly after the incidents encountered by VerstappenThe objective would be to verify their operation, their conformity, and above all, their safety level. Ferrari would use comparable technology without having experienced the same failures so far.

The withdrawal of the "Macarena" should therefore be presented as a precautionary measure attributed to Red Bull, and not as a sanction or an official decision of the FIA.

For the Austrian team, the situation remains embarrassing: an innovation intended to improve performance ultimately caused two accidents and prompted its star driver to publicly denounce a device " extremely dangerous ».

In Spa, Verstappen It should revert to a more traditional spoiler. Perhaps less daring, but certainly much more reassuring.