Kimi Antonelli Explains Why He Will Not Use Number 1 for 2027 F1 Season

For the first time since the 2021 Formula 1 campaign, the prestigious racing number 1 will not appear on the grid next season. While recent title winners Max Verstappen and Lando Norris elected to take advantage of the championship privilege by running the number 1 car during their title defenses, Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli has officially confirmed he will not follow in their footsteps.

Fresh from securing his place in motorsport history in Mexico by replacing Sebastian Vettel as the youngest world champion of all time, Antonelli clarified his plans for next year’s car livery. Questioned by Motorsport.com regarding whether he would switch to number 1 or preserve his current digit, Antonelli stated: “I think I’ll stay with number 12.” He further elaborated on the emotional weight behind the decision, saying, “I’ll stay with number 12 because, obviously, it’s a very special number for me”.

Honoring Ayrton Senna and Staying Grounded

The significance of number 12 runs deep for the Italian prodigy. It serves as an explicit tribute to his idol, Ayrton Senna, and was the very first number Antonelli raced with during his single-seater career in Formula 4. By taking the title, Antonelli also earned the unique distinction of becoming the first driver since Senna himself in 1988 to clinch a Formula 1 world championship sporting number 12.

Beyond historical racing ties, Antonelli sees the number as a mental anchor. “It’s also a way for me to stay grounded, to stay humble. I feel like keeping number 12 allows me to have a new point where to start and to build on everything again and try to improve more.” This trademark modesty has surfaced repeatedly across the season; following a dominant drive in Austin, Antonelli deflected praise for handling intense rookie pressure by publicly crediting his family and the Mercedes technical staff rather than his own talent.

Superstition and the Burden of Premature Celebration

Antonelli candidly admitted that superstition served as another decisive factor against adopting the reigning champion’s digit. “To be honest, I’m very superstitious and number one has never been a good number for me. Whenever I put it [on], it went extremely badly!” Antonelli laughed before adding, “So that’s one more reason to stay with number 12.”

That heightened superstition proved to be a psychological hurdle throughout the Mexican Grand Prix weekend. Antonelli was wary of jinxing the championship when paddock attendees began treating his victory as a certainty early on. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff noted that congratulations had already poured in on Friday, testing the driver’s focus.

“I kept hearing the same thing over and over again”, Antonelli explained during the post-race press conference. “And, you know, I’m quite straightforward on this: until it’s done, it’s not done. So, I knew that I still wanted to finish the job well, and it’s not easy when you keep hearing from many people, guests, fans, congratulations for the championship. Knowing myself, I’m very superstitious. And I’m telling you, it’s not easy for me, especially being that superstitious!”

Celebration Plans and the Road to Las Vegas

With the championship officially settled, Antonelli outlined how he intends to mark the milestone across an intense triple-header schedule. Rather than losing momentum mid-series, he plans to hold back the bulk of his revelry until after the upcoming Sao Paulo Grand Prix in Brazil.

“I will enjoy tonight. I’ll see what I will do, but definitely when I go back home after Brazil, I will push [with partying]. And, yeah, then back to Vegas. I probably won’t be in the best state going into Vegas, but I think it’s fine, right? You’ve still got to enjoy all these moments!”

Why This Matters

In modern Formula 1, retaining a personal driver number rather than claiming the champion’s number 1 is a rare branding and personal statement. When permanent numbers were introduced in 2014, Lewis Hamilton notably declined switching to number 1, preferring his signature 44 to maintain motivation. By retaining number 12, Antonelli reinforces both his personal brand and ties to Ayrton Senna’s legacy, while ensuring Mercedes defends its crown with a distinctive aesthetic rarely seen at the pinnacle of motorsport in recent decades.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Andrea Kimi Antonelli not using the number 1 next season?
Antonelli chose to stick with number 12 because of its deep personal meaning, its connection to his idol Ayrton Senna, a desire to keep himself grounded, and a strong superstition after suffering poor past results whenever he raced with number 1.

When was the last time number 1 was absent from Formula 1?
The number 1 will be absent from the grid next season for the first time since 2021, ending a continuous run after both Max Verstappen and Lando Norris chose to run it following their respective title victories.

What record did Antonelli break at the Mexican Grand Prix?
By securing the championship in Mexico, Antonelli replaced Sebastian Vettel as the youngest Formula 1 world champion of all time.