Kimi Antonelli retains number 12 after clinching world title

The choice of number 12

Kimi Antonelli will retain his number 12 for the 2027 Formula 1 season despite clinching the world title at age 20. The young Italian secured the championship with a third-place finish at the Mexico City Grand Prix on Sunday. While drivers like Lando Norris use the number 1 after winning a title, Antonelli will stick with his current number. He told reporters that number 12 is special and provides a way for him to stay grounded. He also admitted that he is superstitious. He noted that number 1 brought him bad luck in the past. This superstition likely relates to the 2020 World Karting Championship in Portimao, where he ran number 1 and collided with Maya Weug. That accident broke his left leg and foot. I find his refusal to use the number 1 to be a purely personal choice driven by those past traumas.

The choice of number 12 honors his hero Ayrton Senna, who used it during his Lotus years from 1985 to 1987 and his 1988 championship campaign. Antonelli is the first driver since Senna in 1988 to clinch a world title with the number 12. He used this number throughout his single-seater career, including his 2022 Italian Formula 4 title and his 2023 FRECA victory. This follows a 2024 Formula 2 season where he finished sixth. Mercedes scouted him in 2019 when he was 12 years old and later fast-tracked him into a seat in 2024 after Lewis Hamilton announced his move to Ferrari in February. Toto Wolff chose him as a wildcard to ensure a generational talent stayed with Mercedes.

Antonelli’s 2026 season included five consecutive wins in China, Japan, Miami, Canada, and Monaco. He overcame a difficult start to his F1 career, including a crash in a 2024 practice session and an exit from qualifying in Melbourne. His Monza victory was especially intense as he scythed through the field after starting 19th due to an engine penalty. He also beat Max Verstappen at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, where he overcame Mercedes’ struggle with a new upgrade package. I believe his ability to dominate after those early struggles proves his status as a generational talent. Mercedes spent over £10m and nine years of work to develop him.

Team tension in Mexico

George Russell finished sixth in Mexico and dropped to fourth in the drivers’ standings. He suffered from a technical issue regarding energy delivery on the straight and a collision with Isack Hadjar on the first lap. The decision to excuse George Russell from his media obligations came after Toto Wolff observed the driver was distraught following the moment his teammate secured the championship title in the Mexican Grand Prix. Toto Wolff described the moment as catastrophic for the British driver. The FIA fined Mercedes €5,000 because of Russell’s absence. Russell also received a 10-second time penalty for his collision with Hadjar. He expressed frustration that a technical issue out of his control compromised his race. This result saw Max Verstappen climb two places and Lewis Hamilton move into second.

Antonelli now looks toward the Sao Paulo Grand Prix from November 6 to 8. He plans to wear a tribute helmet for Ayrton Senna to celebrate the 1991 Interlagos victory. He mentioned that Senna won that race while stuck in sixth gear. I think his desire to celebrate Senna in Brazil shows deep respect for his idol. He plans to celebrate his championship more fully after the triple-header ends. He will push with partying once he returns home from Brazil.