Here is the thing about Formula 1 development: everyone is watching everyone else, and sometimes you just have to try it for yourself. Mercedes briefly ran a brand new interpretation of Ferrari's FTM (flick tail mode) exhaust at the Madring. It was a bold moment, but it did not last the weekend. The modification was quickly removed, and the W17 ran with the exact same arrangement as it had in the previous race at Monza.
So, what makes this specific piece of engineering so tempting? Ferrari's FTM innovation has been strapped to their car since pre-season testing, and it quietly confers a genuine aerodynamic advantage. The clever setup works by partially blocking the exhaust outlet to enhance its force, then directing that brute power upwards. This serves a double purpose: it helps scavenge the airflow exiting the diffuser, and it uses that accelerated flow to energize the airflow heading straight to the underside of the rear wing. A brilliant machine detail, and one can easily understand why Mercedes wanted a peek under the hood.
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