Andrea Kimi Antonelli is already thinking about 2027 as he closes in on the 2026 Formula 1 world title, with the Mercedes driver indicating that he plans to keep number 12 rather than switch to the champion’s number 1. The Italian could complete the job at the Mexico City Grand Prix after his crucial victory in Austin moved him to the brink of the championship.
Kimi Antonelli plans to keep number 12 in 2027
Andrea Kimi Antonelli is reported to have made it clear that he wants to retain number 12 even if he becomes the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history in Mexico. The Mercedes driver said: “First of all, I have to do my job in Mexico. But I think that once that is done, I’ll continue racing with my number 12,” as reported by Next-Gen Auto Motorsport.
The decision has its roots in Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s admiration for Ayrton Senna, who raced with number 12 for Lotus in 1985 and 1986. The Italian also joked that he intends to dye his hair if he secures the championship, considering something exotic with two colours after discussing the idea with his parents.
Max Verstappen brought number 1 back to the Formula 1 grid after becoming world champion, while Lando Norris adopted it after winning the 2025 title. Lewis Hamilton, by contrast, continued to race with number 44 after permanent driver numbers were introduced, even during his years as reigning world champion.
The path that brought Kimi Antonelli to the brink of the F1 title
Andrea Kimi Antonelli began karting at a very young age and entered the Mercedes junior programme when he was 12. He dominated European karting competition in 2020 and 2021 before winning both the Italian and German Formula 4 titles in 2022, followed by the Formula Regional European and Middle East championships in 2023.
In 2024, Andrea Kimi Antonelli moved directly into Formula 2 without competing in Formula 3 and finished sixth in the championship with two victories. He then made his Formula 1 debut for Mercedes at the age of 18 in 2025, replacing Lewis Hamilton and experiencing a rookie campaign with both highs and lows.
The arrival of Formula 1’s new regulations in 2026 changed the picture dramatically. Mercedes produced the most competitive car, and Andrea Kimi Antonelli took control of the championship from the opening rounds. He has accumulated nine victories and 365 points, including a dominant pole-to-win performance in Texas that delivered his ninth Formula 1 victory of the season at Austin.
How Kimi Antonelli can clinch the F1 title in Mexico
Andrea Kimi Antonelli holds a 123-point advantage over Mercedes team-mate George Russell and leads Lewis Hamilton by 124 points in the Formula 1 drivers’ standings. With only 125 points still available across the final five races, the championship leader needs just two points at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
A ninth-place finish or better would therefore guarantee Andrea Kimi Antonelli the title regardless of what his rivals achieve. The decisive weekend takes place at the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix, where the Mercedes driver has the opportunity to secure his first Formula 1 world championship with four rounds still to follow.
After winning in Austin, Andrea Kimi Antonelli said: “We are very close, but we will try to finish on a high and hopefully we can do it very soon. I’m excited and I would love to win the title in style with a big result. I just want to enjoy every moment because these are moments that will stay with us forever.”
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