Andrea Kimi Antonelli Rejects the F1 Number 1 for 2027
Fresh from securing the 2026 Formula 1 world championship in Mexico City, Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli has confirmed he will decline the right to use the number 1 next season, electing instead to keep his customary number 12. At just 20 years and 68 days old, the Italian driver etched his name into the record books by breaking Sebastian Vettel’s long-standing benchmark as the youngest title winner in the sport’s history. Yet despite earning the prestigious right to display F1’s most valuable number, Antonelli explained that a mix of personal superstition, historical reverence, and a desire for humility dictated his decision to stick with the number that carried him through his junior categories.
Superstition, Humility, and the Weight of the Number 12
Speaking in the official FIA press conference following the race weekend, Antonelli laid out the reasoning behind his choice. He admitted that the digit 1 has brought him misfortune during critical moments of his racing development. Most notably, a high-profile karting crash at Portimão in 2020 resulted in a broken leg that derailed his world championship campaign while he was running the number 1. Beyond those painful memories, the 20-year-old emphasized that retaining his usual number helps him stay grounded. I think I will stay with 12,
Antonelli told reporters. It’s a very special number for me, but it’s also a way to stay with my feet on the ground and keep my humility. I feel like keeping 12 gives me a clean slate to build from and continue to develop.
The driver, who is admittedly superstitious—even maintaining habits like wearing the same shoes after victories—noted, Every time I put it on, things went very badly, so that is another reason to stay with the 12.
Aside from his 2024 Formula 2 campaign where he utilized the number 4, Antonelli has exclusively driven with the number 12, securing Italian Formula 4 and FRECA titles with the digit. During the Mexican Grand Prix, the young champion was so overcome with emotion that he struggled to see the track in the penultimate lap, later admitting he was not in the best physical condition during the event.
Echoes of Senna and Mercedes Tradition
The number 12 carries deep historical significance within Formula 1, most famously worn by Ayrton Senna during his formative years with Lotus and during his first world championship campaign with McLaren in 1988. Antonelli, who regards the legendary Brazilian as his idol, will further honor Senna at the upcoming Sao Paulo Grand Prix by running a special helmet design commemorating the 35th anniversary of Senna’s famous 1991 home victory, where the McLaren driver won despite having his gearbox locked in sixth gear. I will have a special helmet in Brazil in honor of Ayrton,
he stated. By opting out of the champion’s number, Antonelli also continues a modern Mercedes team tradition. During their respective title-winning eras with the Silver Arrows, Lewis Hamilton famously chose to retain his personal number 44 rather than switch to 1, while Nico Rosberg immediately retired from the sport following his 2016 world championship.
What Antonelli’s Decision Means for the 2027 Grid
With outgoing world champion Lando Norris returning to his traditional number 4 for the upcoming campaign, Antonelli’s refusal of the top digit means 2027 will mark the first season since 2021 without a single car running the number 1. As the Formula 1 circus prepares to reconvene at Sao Paulo for the next round of the 2026 season, Antonelli turns his focus toward closing out his record-shattering championship year.
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