Kimi Antonelli keeps number 12 for 2027, snubs F1 champion's number 1
Synopsis
Kimi Antonelli just became F1's youngest-ever world champion — and he's already doing things his way. Rather than taking the iconic number 1, the 20-year-old Italian is keeping number 12, the same digit Ayrton Senna wore when he won his first title in 1988. Sentiment, superstition, and humility in one decision.
Key Takeaways
Kimi Antonelli clinched the 2026 F1 world championship on 3 November at the Mexico City Grand Prix , finishing third in the race.
At 20 years old , he is the youngest-ever Formula 1 world champion .
He confirmed he will keep race number 12 for 2027 , declining the champion's privilege of racing under number 1 .
Number 12 was worn by idol Ayrton Senna when Senna clinched his first title in 1988 .
Antonelli recorded 9 race wins and 16 podiums in 19 races during the 2026 season.
He is Italy's first F1 world champion in 73 years , driving for Mercedes .
Newly-crowned Formula 1 world champion Kimi Antonelli has confirmed he will retain race number 12 for the 2027 season rather than switching to the number 1 traditionally available to the defending champion. The 20-year-old Italian made the announcement at Mexico City after clinching the 2026 F1 title on 3 November, becoming the youngest driver in the sport's history to win the world championship.
Historic Title at Mexico City
Antonelli sealed the 2026 drivers' championship by finishing third in the Mexico City Grand Prix, a result that placed him far enough ahead of his rivals in the standings with four rounds still remaining on the calendar. The victory makes him Italy's first Formula 1 world champion in 73 years — a milestone that underscores the magnitude of his achievement at an age when most drivers are still finding their footing at the top tier.
Why Antonelli Is Sticking With Number 12
Under the numbering rules introduced in 2014, drivers may freely choose their permanent race numbers, with number 1 reserved exclusively for the reigning world champion. Antonelli has chosen to forgo that privilege, citing both sentiment and superstition. His number 12 carries deep personal significance: it is the same number that his idol, the late Ayrton Senna, carried when he secured the first of his three world championships in 1988.
'I think I'll stay with number 12,' Antonelli said. 'I'll stay with number 12 because, obviously, it's a very special number for me. But also it's a way for me to stay grounded, to stay humble, and I feel like by keeping number 12, it allows me to have a new point where to start and build on everything again and try to improve.'
He also pointed to an unbroken run of bad luck with the number 1. 'To be honest, I'm very superstitious, and number 1 has never been a good number for me. Whenever I put it, it went extremely badly. So one more reason to stay with number 12,' he added.
Antonelli's Record-Breaking 2026 Season
The Mercedes driver recorded nine race wins and stood on the podium 16 times in 19 races across the 2026 season — a consistency rate that dismantled the opposition. His championship triumph continues a dominant run for Mercedes, which backed Antonelli from early in his career. 'It's difficult to put into words what I'm feeling right now. I'm still trying to process it all, but to be able to say that I am world champion is just incredible,' he said in a post-race statement released by the team.
'This is a moment that I will remember for the rest of my life. We've had an amazing season, and I'm so proud of what we have achieved together,' he added.
Who Has Used Number 1 Before
Antonelli's decision to bypass number 1 puts him in a select group. Lando Norris, the 2025 world champion, raced under number 1 during the 2026 season as the defending titleholder. Before him, Max Verstappen — a four-time champion — carried number 1 on his car for four consecutive seasons, from 2022 to 2025. The contrast highlights just how unusual Antonelli's choice is: most champions embrace the number as a badge of honour.
What Comes Next
With four rounds still to run in the current season, Antonelli will look to add to his tally of wins under the banner of the number he says keeps him honest. The broader question for the sport is whether a 20-year-old champion — carrying the weight of Italy's 73-year wait and the shadow of Senna's legacy — can sustain this level into a title defence that will inevitably attract far sharper scrutiny in 2027.
Point of View
Not the title. The Senna parallel is loaded: number 12 connects him to a driver whose career arc included brilliance, intensity, and ultimately tragedy. Whether this is conscious mythology-building or pure sentiment, the narrative writes itself — and in a sport that runs on sponsorship and storytelling, that matters as much as lap times.
NationPress
3 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Kimi Antonelli keeping race number 12 instead of number 1?
Antonelli is keeping number 12 because of its emotional significance — it is the same number his idol Ayrton Senna used when winning his first world title in 1988. He also cited superstition, saying number 1 has historically gone badly for him whenever he has used it.
How did Kimi Antonelli win the 2026 F1 world championship?
Antonelli clinched the 2026 drivers' title by finishing third at the Mexico City Grand Prix on 3 November 2026, building a lead over his rivals large enough to secure the championship with four rounds still remaining. He recorded nine race wins and 16 podiums in 19 races that season.
Is Kimi Antonelli the youngest F1 world champion ever?
Yes. At 20 years old, Antonelli became the youngest driver in Formula 1 history to win the world championship after his 2026 title triumph. He is also Italy's first world champion in 73 years.
Which F1 champions have used race number 1 in recent years?
Lando Norris, the 2025 world champion, raced under number 1 during the 2026 season. Before him, Max Verstappen carried number 1 for four consecutive years from 2022 to 2025 after his run of four titles. Antonelli's decision to decline the number is notably unusual by recent standards.
What is the significance of number 12 in Formula 1 history?
Number 12 was the race number carried by Ayrton Senna when he won his first of three Formula 1 world championships in 1988. For Antonelli, the number represents a direct link to his childhood idol and serves as a personal reminder to stay grounded despite his title success.
