Kimi Antonelli Sticks with Number 12 for 2027 Season Despite Potential Title Win

Kimi Antonelli, poised to clinch the Formula 1 World Championship at the Mexican Grand Prix, has made an intriguing decision about his race number for the 2027 season. The Mercedes driver needs only a modest ninth-place finish to secure the title, regardless of how his teammates George Russell and Lewis Hamilton perform.

As the Italian driver edges closer to this milestone, he's already setting his sights on the next season's details. While Formula 1 allows the reigning champion to sport the prestigious number '1', Antonelli plans to retain his current number '12'. "I have to do my job in Mexico first," Antonelli remarked to Blick, emphasizing his focus on the task at hand. "But I think that when I reach the finish line, I’ll continue to compete with the number 12."

This decision marks a departure from recent champions' preferences. Since the introduction of permanent numbers in 2014, Lewis Hamilton opted to keep his number '44', while Max Verstappen and Lando Norris embraced the number '1' after their respective triumphs. Hamilton once explained his choice by saying he views himself as a contender, not just the reigning champion.

Verstappen, on the other hand, relished the opportunity to use the number '1', considering it a rare privilege. "How many times can you do that? I don’t know, maybe it’s the only time I can in my life," he said. Lando Norris echoed this sentiment, highlighting the pride and team acknowledgment that comes with the number '1'.

For Antonelli, however, the decision appears to be more about personal continuity than tradition. As he stands on the cusp of a significant career achievement, his choice to maintain the number '12' adds a unique footnote to his burgeoning legacy.