Antonelli keeps number 12 for 2027 rather than switching to number 1

Champion elect Kimi Antonelli has confirmed he will keep the number 12 next season instead of switching to number 1, the number that will be carried by the reigning champion. He said the number helps him stay grounded and gives him a new starting point to rebuild from.

Antonelli had hinted at the decision after winning the title in Mexico, noting he was the first champion to win with number 12 since Ayrton Senna in 1988. He said he is superstitious and that number 1 had never been a good number for him, adding that whenever he ran it, things went extremely badly.

The Mercedes driver also visited the Senna family's property near Sao Paulo this week, sitting in one of Senna's number 12 Lotus cars. He will race in Brazil with a special Senna tribute helmet marking 35 years since Senna's home victory while stuck in sixth gear.