Kimi Antonelli has explained his decision to reject the chance to use car #1 for his 2027 F1 title defence.
The Italian claimed the 2026 title in the Mexico City Grand Prix to become the youngest F1 champion at 20 years, 2 months, 7 days - and earn the right to use car #1 from next season.
However, Antonelli has confirmed that he will not be changing from his personal race number of #12 for next season - meaning the #1 will not be on the grid for 2027, with outgoing champion Lando Norris set to return to his #4 from the new campaign.
"I think I'll stay with number 12," he told media, including RacingNews365.
"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 keeping number 12 allows me to have a new point where to start and build on everything again and try to improve.
"And also, to be honest, I'm very superstitious, and number one 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, so I will stay with number 12."
Remarkably, since its return to F1 in 2010, it will mean that none of Mercedes' three world champions will have elected to use the #1, with Lewis Hamilton famously opting for his iconic #44 in his title-winning years, whilst Nico Rosberg retired after winning the 2016 title, and never defended it.
Since regular driver numbers were introduced in 1974, seven reigning champions will not have run the #1 in their defence, although, as the table below shows, only Hamilton and Antonelli will have actually raced.
The #12 is a special number for Antonelli, as it was used throughout his junior career - and was one used by Ayrton Senna when he claimed his first title for McLaren in 1988, with the 36th champion set for a special tribute to the 22nd.
"I will have a special helmet for Brazil, for Ayrton," he said.
"Also, because it's going to be 35 years since he won in sixth gear, his home race, so it's going to be a tribute helmet for Brazil, for Ayrton, and I think it's one of my best helmets that I've made. So hopefully you guys, everyone, hopefully you will like it."
F1 champions not to use #1 since 1974
| Driver | Season | Number used |
|---|---|---|
| Jackie Stewart | 1974 | Retired |
| Nigel Mansell | 1993 | Left for CART (now IndyCar) |
| Alain Prost | 1994 | Retired |
| Lewis Hamilton | 2015 | Opted for personal #44 |
| Lewis Hamilton | 2016 | Opted for personal #44 |
| Nico Rosberg | 2017 | Retired |
| Lewis Hamilton | 2018 | Opted for personal #44 |
| Lewis Hamilton | 2019 | Opted for personal #44 |
| Lewis Hamilton | 2020 | Opted for personal #44 |
| Lewis Hamilton | 2021 | Opted for personal #44 |
| Kimi Antonelli | 2027 | Opted for personal #12 |
Also interesting:
Join RacingNews365's Ian Parkes, Samuel Coop and Nick Golding as they look back on Mexico City but also look ahead to this weekend's São Paulo Grand Prix! Kimi Antonelli become world champion is a lead discussion, as is the latest Ferrari drama!
Rather watch this episode? Then click here!
Most read
In this article
Never miss a thing from the Formula 1 season! Add the 2026 F1 schedule to your calendar at the touch of a button. Subscribe below and put the dates and times of every race directly on your PC or smartphone, so you don't miss a second from the new season.
Download the F1 calendar Download the F1 calendar
A variant with just the race and qualifying is also available.
Click here to download it..
Join the conversation!