Electric Cars

In the dynamic realm of Formula 1, innovation is constant, and the recent introduction of rotating rear wings, affectionately dubbed 'Macarena wings' by figures like Ferrari's team principal Frederic Vasseur, has captured significant attention. These advanced aerodynamic elements, designed to enhance performance, underwent rigorous examination by the FIA, particularly after two successive incidents involving Red Bull's star driver, Max Verstappen. While the FIA has ultimately sanctioned their presence on the grid, Red Bull was prompted to conduct additional developmental work to ensure their absolute safety and reliability.

FIA's Stance on Rotating Rear Wings: A Deep Dive into Safety and Evolution

During the initial phase of the 2026 Formula 1 season, the rotating rear wing emerged as a standout technical advancement. Ferrari was at the forefront, showcasing its rendition during winter testing, a move that reportedly took several competitors, including McLaren, by surprise. Concurrently, Red Bull was developing its own variant, which, despite differing in operational mechanics from Ferrari's design, encountered a delay in deployment, first appearing in Miami. Both designs initially functioned without issue, but intensified scrutiny followed Verstappen's two consecutive crashes at Spielberg and Silverstone.

The international governing body for motorsport, the FIA, subsequently requested comprehensive information from both Ferrari and Red Bull. Nikolas Tombazis, the FIA's single-seater director, clarified in a media briefing that this request was a standard procedure to ensure equitable treatment of all teams utilizing the new technology, rather than targeting Ferrari specifically. The primary objective was to thoroughly comprehend the intricacies of both systems, especially as more teams expressed interest in integrating similar technologies. McLaren, for instance, had already prototyped a rotating wing and planned its competitive debut shortly after the summer hiatus.

Tombazis underscored the FIA's commitment to safety, emphasizing that the evaluation encompassed not only the prescribed retraction time of the wing but also its subsequent aerodynamic behavior and the overall stability of the vehicle. He stressed the importance of preventing hydraulic malfunctions that could leave the wing in an open position, as well as ensuring a rapid and smooth closing action to maintain vehicle control. While the overall concept received the FIA's seal of approval, Red Bull was urged to conduct further refinements. Tombazis explained that this wasn't a formal directive to alter their design, but rather an implicit understanding, fostered through dialogue and the recent incidents, that Red Bull's technical department needed to perform additional 'homework' to enhance the system's robustness. Pierre Wache, Red Bull's technical director, attributed the previous issues to mechanical factors. Consequently, Red Bull temporarily reverted to a more conventional rear wing configuration in Belgium before reinstating their enhanced rotating wing for Verstappen and Isack Hadjar in Hungary.

The FIA's decision highlights the delicate balance between fostering innovation and upholding stringent safety standards in Formula 1. The thorough assessment and subsequent recommendations underscore a proactive approach to evolving aerodynamic technologies, ensuring that advancements in performance do not compromise driver safety. It also serves as a testament to the continuous dialogue and collaborative efforts between the regulatory body and the racing teams in pushing the boundaries of automotive engineering responsibly.

DS Automobiles recently concluded its participation in the London E-Prix, marking the end of a significant chapter in Formula E history. Over its tenure, from its initial collaboration with DS Virgin Racing to its successful partnership with DS Techeetah, and culminating with DS Penske, the French manufacturer has profoundly influenced the championship's development. Their journey concluded triumphantly with Taylor Barnard's victory in the final race, underscoring their enduring impact.

DS Automobiles' involvement in Formula E is deeply intertwined with the series' own evolution. Joining in 2015 during the championship's second season, DS, a relatively young brand itself, leveraged electric racing as a crucial platform for technological advancement. This symbiotic relationship allowed DS to accelerate the development of its future electrified vehicles, while also contributing to Formula E's expansion by attracting more manufacturers. This mutual growth defined a remarkable era for both the brand and the sport.

The Ascent to Dominance: Early Successes and Championship Glory

DS Automobiles embarked on its Formula E journey alongside Sir Richard Branson’s British team, Virgin Racing. Sam Bird quickly emerged as a pivotal figure, securing DS's inaugural victory in Buenos Aires, just his fourth race. Bird continued to be a driving force, achieving historic wins, including the first motor race in Brooklyn, New York, in July 2017, and triumphing at the inaugural Rome E-Prix in April 2018. By the end of its first three seasons, the initial generation of DS Performance-powered single-seaters had amassed five victories and 16 podium finishes, laying a strong foundation for future success.

The introduction of the Gen2 car for the 2018–2019 season marked a new epoch, as DS Performance meticulously engineered this advanced vehicle. DS Automobiles transitioned from Virgin to partner with the Chinese team Techeetah, forming the formidable DS Techeetah alliance. This partnership rapidly set new benchmarks in the championship. Jean-Eric Vergne, already a champion, secured his second Formula E title in New York in July 2019, making him the first driver to achieve this feat. DS Techeetah also clinched the constructors’ championship, marking DS Automobiles’ first world title. The 2019–2020 season, despite pandemic disruptions, saw Antonio Felix da Costa dominate, leading to a double championship win for DS Techeetah with an impressive 77-point lead. Over four Gen2 seasons, DS Techeetah accumulated 10 wins, 15 pole positions, and 28 podiums in 55 races, consistently finishing in the top three teams, a record unsurpassed to this day.

The Gen3 Era: Continuous Innovation and a Grand Farewell

In 2022, Formula E entered its Gen3 era, and DS Automobiles forged a new alliance with Penske Autosport, forming DS Penske. This new team boasted a stellar driver lineup, including Vergne and reigning world champion Stoffel Vandoorne. While the overwhelming dominance of the Techeetah years was not replicated, DS Penske consistently challenged top-tier teams like Porsche and Jaguar. The team particularly excelled on new circuits or where strategic brilliance outweighed raw pace. Vergne delivered DS E-Tense FE23’s first victory in Hyderabad in February 2023, and later, in April 2024, surpassed the 1,000-point mark, becoming the highest-scoring driver in the championship’s history.

Stoffel Vandoorne also contributed significantly during this period, achieving pole position in Sao Paulo and a podium finish in Monaco. Maximilian Guenther later joined Vergne, helping DS Penske return to winning form, before a new pairing of Guenther and Barnard created another memorable moment with a 1-2 finish in Shanghai in 2025, which would be the Franco-American team’s final major triumph. In their last Formula E world championship appearance at the London E-Prix, DS reached over 2,000 points. The highlight was Barnard’s magnificent victory in the final Gen3 race, making him, at 22, the youngest winner in Formula E history. With 19 victories, 56 podiums, and 26 pole positions across 11 seasons and 154 races, DS Automobiles has cemented its legacy as one of Formula E’s most successful manufacturers.