Andrea Kimi Antonelli has revealed that he is considering keeping his familiar number 12 for the 2027 Formula 1 season, even if he becomes world champion with Mercedes. The Italian, who could secure his first Drivers’ Championship at the upcoming Mexican Grand Prix, appears reluctant to replace the number that has accompanied him throughout his racing career with the traditional number 1 reserved for the reigning champion.
Speaking to Swiss publication Blick, the 20-year-old explained that his immediate priority remains completing the championship battle in Mexico. Nevertheless, his comments offered an early indication of a decision that would carry considerable significance if he secures the title, particularly given the personal connection between number 12, Ayrton Senna and his early years in motorsport.
Kimi Antonelli could secure the 2026 F1 world championship in Mexico
Andrea Kimi Antonelli heads into the Mexican Grand Prix with an excellent opportunity to become Formula 1 world champion. Following his dominant victory at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, the Mercedes driver is now just two points away from mathematically securing his first title.
A ninth-place finish in Mexico would be sufficient to guarantee the championship, while the Italian could also celebrate without scoring the required points if results involving his closest challengers, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, go in his favour. With such a commanding advantage, the conclusion of the title fight appears increasingly close.
Success would also represent a historic achievement for Italian motorsport. Andrea Kimi Antonelli would become the first Italian Formula 1 world champion in 73 years, ending a wait stretching back to Alberto Ascari’s championship victory with Ferrari in 1953.
The Mercedes driver’s remarkable position follows an outstanding season that included his ninth victory of 2026 at Austin, where Kimi Antonelli moved to the brink of winning the world championship.
Kimi Antonelli considers keeping number 12 instead of F1 number 1 in 2027
With the championship potentially approaching its conclusion, attention has already turned to the number Andrea Kimi Antonelli could use on his Mercedes in 2027.
Traditionally, the reigning Formula 1 world champion has the opportunity to compete with number 1, a symbol of the previous season’s achievement. However, the Italian has suggested that he would prefer to retain his existing number.
Asked about his plans by Blick, Andrea Kimi Antonelli replied: “First I have to do my job in Mexico, but I think I’ll continue racing with number 12.”
His answer indicates a preference rather than a final decision. Nevertheless, it suggests that even the possibility of becoming the youngest Formula 1 world champion may not be enough to persuade him to abandon a number with such strong personal significance.
Under the current Formula 1 regulations, the reigning world champion is permitted to use number 1 but is not required to do so. Andrea Kimi Antonelli would therefore be entitled to retain number 12 if he wins the championship.
Italy’s long history with number 1 in Formula 1
Should Andrea Kimi Antonelli choose to retain number 12 after securing the title, Italian Formula 1 fans would have to wait longer to see another driver from their country competing with number 1.
The last Italian driver to race with number 1 was Ludovico Scarfiotti at Monza in 1966. At that time, Formula 1 race numbers were assigned by event organisers and did not necessarily reflect the championship standings from the previous season.
From 1974, number 1 became associated through the regulations with the reigning world champion. The introduction of permanent driver numbers in 2014 subsequently gave drivers greater freedom to establish an identity around their preferred number, while leaving the champion’s number available as an option.
That choice has already been demonstrated by several world champions, including Lewis Hamilton, who continued racing with number 44 after winning his later championships rather than permanently adopting number 1.
Why does Kimi Antonelli race with number 12?
Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s attachment to number 12 goes back long before his arrival in Formula 1. As he explained during his debut season, the number carries several important personal associations, beginning with his admiration for Ayrton Senna.
The three-time Formula 1 world champion competed with number 12 during his time at Lotus and also during his first season with McLaren. The number consequently holds particular significance for the young Mercedes driver, who has long regarded Ayrton Senna as a major inspiration.
There are also two connections to Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s own career. Number 12 was the first race number he used in a single-seater during his Formula 4 career, making it an important part of his early identity as a racing driver.
Furthermore, the Italian joined the Mercedes junior driver programme when he was 12 years old, providing another connection between the number and the team that supported his progression to Formula 1.
With the 2027 season approaching, keeping number 12 would therefore represent a continuation of Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s personal racing history rather than simply a decision to reject the prestige of number 1.
Before any final decision, however, the Mercedes driver must complete the remaining step towards his first world championship. The 2026 Mexican Grand Prix weekend offers him the opportunity to make history, after which the question of whether number 12 will remain on his car could become particularly relevant.
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