Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli has confirmed he will stick with the number 12 rather than switching to the traditional champion’s number 1 when he defends his title in 2027. The Italian driver currently races with number 12, which was famously used by his idol Ayrton Senna when the Brazilian secured his first championship with McLaren in 1988.
Superstition and Keeping Grounded
Speaking after the race in Mexico following his championship success, Antonelli explained that the number 12 has gained even greater personal meaning for him. He stated that remaining with the number serves as a reminder to stay grounded and humble while providing a fresh starting point to build upon his achievements and continue developing as a driver.
The champion also admitted to being superstitious, noting that the number 1 has historically brought him poor luck. According to Antonelli, whenever he has used the number 1 in the past, his results turned out extremely poorly, giving him an additional reason to reject the champion’s digit in favor of number 12.
