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Bernie Collins believes it is “good to see” Haas have already copied the exhaust flap that Ferrari pioneered after spotting the upgrade at the 2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix.
The travelling circus of Formula 1 has quickly moved on from the opening round of the 2026 season in Melbourne to pitch its tents in Shanghai this weekend. Haas enjoyed a strong start to the term last week, with Oliver Bearman the best of the rest with P7 in the Australian GP.
Ferrari also enjoyed a strong start to the 2026 F1 season at Albert Park, with Charles Leclerc securing P3 ahead of teammate Lewis Hamilton in P4. Leclerc also fought for the lead of the race, before Ferrari decided against copying Mercedes by pitting under the virtual safety car.
The rear of the Ferrari SF-26 had already caught the eye during pre-season testing, as well, after the Scuderia unveiled their unique exhaust flap in Bahrain in February. Now, Collins has seen a very similar exhaust flap appear on the rear end of the Haas VF-26 at the Chinese GP.
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Bernie Collins likes that Haas have already copied Ferrari’s exhaust flap in China
Ferrari needed special approval from the FIA for their exhaust flap at the second pre-season test in Bahrain. But their part was approved, as the Scuderia designed their entire rear crash structure so they could use a small plate to cover the lower half of the exhaust on the SF-26.
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It was also thought that rival F1 teams may struggle to copy Ferrari’s exhaust flap, given the Maranello squad had to design their differential as far back as possible so that the plate sits within the 60mm limit. But Haas, who are a Ferrari engine customer, have copied the plate.
Collins told Sky Sports F1 (13/03, 03:58): “Haas have been keeping an eye, I think, on what Ferrari are doing with their car. In the pit lane, all the teams walk up and down.
“And one of the upgrades that’s been brought this week is Haas have brought a little rear winglet that’s on the rear crash structure, in behind the exhaust. It is smaller, but not a million miles away from the Ferrari’s little rear winglet that goes behind their exhaust.
“I just went down to Haas, I’ve seen it. It’s definitely there. It’s in a very similar location, a little bit smaller. But they’re obviously trying that out in the P1 session.
“And it’s good to see teams, only race two, it’s only a week since we were racing in Australia, [but] teams are already bringing these upgrades and trying them.”
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Haas have now copied Ferrari’s exhaust flap, as the small plate covering the lower half of the exhaust can improve the efficiency of the rear diffuser and rear wing on both of their cars. It was even noted after pre-season testing that Ferrari’s exhaust flap improved their tyre wear.
Some rival F1 aero designers feel Ferrari’s exhaust flap gives a net gain, as it can improve the airflow around their rear diffuser but at the expense of their rear wing owing to the upwash generated. Collins feels the small plate is also similar to monkey seats previously seen in F1.
Collins continued: “I think they’re trying to use the exhaust gases in order to move a little bit of downforce.
“We used to have what we called a monkey seat that was further back on the rear wing, more in line with the rear wing pillar, so this is just a method of using that exhaust gas in order to promote a little bit of downforce in the rear of the car.”
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