Formula 1 world champion Kimi Antonelli has explained why he is choosing not to run with the title winner’s #1 on his car next season.
The Italian made history at the Mexican Grand Prix as he became the youngest driver to ever win the crown at the age of 20.
That feat gives him the opportunity if he chooses to run with the #1 on his car next season, as 2025 champion Lando Norris has done this season.
However, Antonelli has said that he will stick with his current #12 – as that number has personal significance for him, plus he has not had the best of luck in the past when he has run with #1.
Antonelli chose #12 as his F1 race number to honour his hero Ayrton Senna, who raced with it during his Lotus years from 1985-87 as well as in his first title-winning campaign with McLaren in 1988.
Asked whether he would take up the option of running #1, Antonelli said: “I’ll stay with #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.
“I feel like by keeping #12 it allows me to have a new point where to start and build on everything again and try to improve.
“And also, to be honest, I’m very superstitious, and number one has never been a good number for me. Whenever I put it, it went extremely badly. So one more reason to stay with #12.”
Antonelli has used #12 throughout his single seater racing career, apart from in Formula 2 in 2024 when he raced with #4.
It is the number that he carried as he won crowns in Italian Formula 4 in 2022 and FRECA the following season. His reference to not having much luck with number one almost certainly relates to his time in karting.
Specifically, it may tie in to the 2020 World Karting Championship showdown in the wet at Portimao – in which Antonelli, running the #1, collided with Maya Weug (who was thrown from her kart but was unhurt) and broke his left leg and foot.
As he heads to the Brazilian GP this weekend, Antonelli has also revealed plans to run with a Senna tribute helmet – to help celebrate the three-time champion’s famous 1991 success at Interlagos.
“It’s going to be 35 years since he won [stuck] in sixth gear, his home race,” said Antonelli.
“It’s going to be a tribute helmet for Brazil, for Ayrton, and I think it’s one of my best helmets that I’ve made. So hopefully you guys, everyone, hopefully you will like it.
“It’s going to be a very special weekend. I’m very much looking forward to it because the support from Brazil in general has been incredible, not only this year but already from last year.”
