Kimi Antonelli To Keep Number 12 For 2027 Season

A Historic Achievement In Mexico

Kimi Antonelli has etched his name into the history books of Formula 1 after securing his first world title during the 2026 Mexico Grand Prix. The Italian driver achieved this milestone at just 20 years old, officially becoming the youngest champion in the history of the sport. In doing so, he surpassed a long-standing record that had been held by Sebastian Vettel since 2010.

Antonelli’s rise to the top has been remarkably swift. Having made his debut with Mercedes in 2025, he managed to claim the crown in only his second season of competition. This feat places him in an elite group of drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, who also managed to win the world championship during their second year in the series. His championship-winning campaign was defined by consistent dominance and high-pressure performance.

Throughout the 2026 season, Antonelli demonstrated exceptional skill and speed. He secured nine Grand Prix victories and claimed a win in the British Grand Prix Sprint Race. Beyond his wins, the Italian driver showed great consistency by securing seven additional podium finishes in Grand Prix events and one further podium in a Sprint Race, cementing his status as the premier driver of the year.

The Decision On Race Numbers

Following his victory in Mexico, attention turned to which race number Antonelli would carry into the 2027 season. Under current Formula 1 regulations established in 2014, drivers are permitted to choose their own permanent race numbers. However, the reigning world champion is granted the exclusive right to use the number 1. This creates a traditional crossroads for every new champion: whether to adopt the number of the leader or stick with their personal identifier.

Recent history shows a divide in how champions handle this choice. Drivers like Max Verstappen and Lando Norris opted to switch to the number 1 to signify their status as the reigning champion. Conversely, Lewis Hamilton famously chose to retain his number 44 throughout his title-winning years, prioritizing personal branding and sentiment over the traditional champion’s digit.

When questioned about his choice after finishing third in the Mexico Grand Prix, Antonelli confirmed that he would not be switching to the number 1. Instead, he will continue to use number 12 for the 2027 season. The driver explained that the number holds a very special meaning for him and serves as a psychological tool to maintain his perspective as he enters his first title defense.

Antonelli noted that keeping the number 12 is a way for him to stay humble and grounded. He views the decision as a means of creating a fresh starting point, allowing him to build upon his previous successes while continuing to seek improvement in his driving and strategy. By avoiding the prestige of the number 1, he believes he can approach the next season with the same hunger and drive that fueled his initial ascent.

Beyond the desire for humility, Antonelli admitted that superstition played a significant role in his decision. He revealed that the number 1 has historically been an unlucky number for him, stating that whenever he has used it in the past, the results were extremely poor. This combination of personal sentiment and a desire to avoid bad luck made the decision to stick with number 12 an easy one for the young champion.

As the sport looks forward to 2027, Antonelli enters the season not only as the youngest champion ever but as a driver who prefers the identity of his own chosen number over the symbolic status of the world leader. His approach suggests a focus on growth and stability as he looks to defend his historic title with Mercedes.