Kimi Antonelli to shun number one on car for 2027 season as new F1 champion wants to 'stay humble'

Kimi Antonelli has decided not to use the number one on his car for the 2026 Formula 1 season, opting instead to retain his number 12. He expressed that keeping this number is significant for him as it helps him stay humble following his recent championship win. Antonelli made history as the youngest world champion after his victory at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

In Formula 1, drivers typically select a number for their careers but can choose to race with number one when defending their title. Antonelli chose number 12 as a tribute to Ayrton Senna, who famously used it during his championship years. He mentioned that he is superstitious and has had negative experiences associated with the number one, further motivating his decision to stick with number 12. Additionally, Antonelli plans to honor Senna with a special helmet design during the upcoming Brazilian Grand Prix, marking 35 years since Senna's memorable win.