Kimi Antonelli to keep #12 for 2027 instead of taking champion's #1

Kimi Antonelli will not use car number #1 for his 2027 title defence, despite earning the right to it by winning the 2026 championship in Mexico City. The Italian, who became the youngest F1 champion at 20 years, 2 months and 7 days, said he will stay with #12, a number he used throughout his junior career.

Antonelli explained that #12 is special to him and helps him stay grounded and humble, giving him a fresh starting point. He also said he is superstitious and that the #1 has never gone well for him. Outgoing champion Lando Norris is set to return to #4.

Antonelli also said he will run a tribute helmet for Ayrton Senna at the Brazilian Grand Prix, marking 35 years since Senna's home-race win and noting that Senna also used #12 when he won his first title for McLaren in 1988.