Kimi Antonelli declines No. 1 privilege, keeps No. 12 for 2027: 'Superstition' behind choice

Kimi Antonelli became Formula 1’s youngest world champion on Sunday at the Mexico City Grand Prix, and within days the 20-year-old Mercedes driver had made a second distinctive call: he will defend his 2027 crown with race number 12, turning down the reigning champion’s right to run No. 1.

Why Antonelli is keeping No. 12 into 2027

Antonelli has carried No. 12 throughout his career, and the number links directly to his idol: Ayrton Senna wore No. 12 when he won his first title with McLaren in 1988. Under rules in place since 2014 that let drivers pick their own numbers, No. 1 is reserved for the reigning champion — a privilege Antonelli is declining.

It's always an emotional moment when you cross the line as world champion… Just ask Kimi, Seb, Lewis, Jenson, Lando, Max, and Nico 🥹#F1 #MexicoGP pic.twitter.com/UVfPztTTKl

— https://x.com/F1/status/2118080593493909747

He told media this week, I think I’ll stay with number 12.

I’ll stay with number 12 because, obviously, it’s a very special number for me, but also it’s a way for me to stay grounded, to stay humble, and I feel like keeping number 12 allows me to have a new point where to start and build on everything again and try to improve.

Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes driver

Superstition seals the decision. Number 1 has never been a good number for me. Whenever I put it, it went extremely badly, he said, adding that this was one more reason to keep No. 12. For Brazil, he plans a tribute to the man behind the number: I will have a special helmet for Brazil, for Ayrton, he said, noting it has been 35 years since Senna won his home race in sixth gear.

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The title he sealed in Mexico City

The championship was clinched at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, where Antonelli finished third in the 71-lap race — comfortably enough, since he needed only ninth place to seal the crown. At 20 years and 68 days old, he became the youngest champion in the sport’s history, bettering Sebastian Vettel’s 2010 mark of 23 years and 134 days by more than three years, and the first Italian champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953.

The numbers behind the coronation tell the season’s story: nine wins in his sophomore year, and a podium in all but three races. After Mexico, his lead stands at an unassailable 119 points over Max Verstappen, who won the race, with Lewis Hamilton third and teammate George Russell fourth, 130 points behind. Hamilton had taken pole position after a 1,197-day wait. Antonelli had taken the championship lead in the third race of the season and never relinquished it, with a win in Austin, Texas, all but sealing the title the week before.

Kimi Antonelli declines No. 1 privilege, keeps No. 12 for 2027: 'Superstition' behind choice — Photo: ESPN

It’s been an incredible season, and to share this podium with Max and Lewis is truly incredible. And looking forward to some more battles in the future.

Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes driver, on the Mexico City podium

A No. 1 that won’t appear on the 2027 grid

Antonelli’s choice has a visible consequence: the No. 1 will not be on the grid in 2027, and outgoing champion Lando Norris will return to his No. 4. The rarity is the point — since permanent driver numbers were introduced in 1974, seven reigning champions will not have run the No. 1 in their title defense, though only Hamilton, with his iconic No. 44, and now Antonelli actually raced without it; Nico Rosberg retired after his 2016 crown. None of Mercedes’ three world champions will ever have elected the No. 1.

Rivals and teammates react to the new champion

Race winner Verstappen praised the man he finished 119 points behind: At his age, to be so solid, not make big mistakes, and of course also beat your experienced team-mate, he's just driven incredible, and I'm very proud of him, how he has handled himself this whole season.

Behind the scenes 👀 Capturing the moment Kimi celebrated his world title! #F1 #MexicoGP pic.twitter.com/qpGrxOKQ3s

— https://x.com/F1/status/2118074553817509948

He’s a genuine guy, very, very kind, and he has driven unbelievably well this year, better that what everyone was expecting of him.

Lando Norris, outgoing world champion

Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner, speaking to NBC News, framed the achievement as maturity as much as speed: Antonelli surprised everyone with his composure, he said, describing the 20-year-old as having the mind of a 30-year-old veteran. Antonelli himself credited the difficult moments of his rookie year — when some questioned whether he belonged in F1 at all — with making him far more prepared for this season. And the email Mercedes boss Toto Wolff sent the entire team after the win spread the credit wide, from race engineer Peter Bonnington to technical director James Allison, while noting it was Wolff who promoted Antonelli into the seat Lewis Hamilton vacated in 2025. The Race observed that Antonelli won his first title without a single controversy or a single public enemy.

Into 2027, then, the champion keeps the number of his idol — and in Brazil, he will wear a special helmet for Brazil, for Ayrton.