Here is the thing about becoming a Formula 1 World Champion at just 20 years old: it gives you choices you never had to make before. Kimi Antonelli is officially the youngest driver to clinch the F1 title, sealing the deal after finishing third during Sunday's 71-lap race at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. It was a stunning sophomore campaign for the Mercedes driver, featuring nine wins and missing the podium in only three races.
Now, the Italian faces that classic champion's dilemma. Since 2014, drivers have been allowed to pick their own permanent race numbers, but the sacred number 1 is reserved exclusively for the reigning title-holder. While recent champions like Max Verstappen and Lando Norris opted for the number 1, others like Lewis Hamilton famously stuck with their personal digits during their championship reigns.
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,
Antonelli's digits of choice are 12, a number deeply tied to his racing identity. It is the exact number used by his idol Ayrton Senna when the Brazilian claimed the first of three titles with McLaren in 1988. Following his championship-clinching drive in Mexico City, the newly crowned driver made his position crystal clear regarding his plans for 2027.
"I think I'll stay with number 12," he said. "I'll stay with number 12 because, obviously, it's a very special number for me.
There is more to it than just idol worship, though. For the Mercedes star, keeping the familiar digits is a deliberate psychological choice to keep his feet on the ground as he prepares to defend his crown.
"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," Antonelli added.
And then, of course, there is plain old superstition—something every racer understands down to their bones. Sometimes, the numbers just do not work in your favor, no matter how fast the machine underneath you happens to be.
"And also, to be honest, I'm very superstitious, and number 1 has never been a good number for me," he admitted. "Whenever I put it, it went extremely badly. So one more reason to stay with number 12. But, yeah, I will stay with number 12."
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