Kimi Antonelli has chosen to keep his familiar No. 12 for the 2027 Formula 1 season, opting against switching to the prestigious No. 1 traditionally available to the reigning world champion.
The Italian driver’s decision comes after a landmark championship campaign that placed him among Formula 1’s elite. Although the title offers him the opportunity to display the sport’s most recognisable number, Antonelli has decided that his established racing number holds greater personal significance.
Formula 1 introduced its permanent driver-number system in 2014. Under the rules, the reigning champion can use No. 1 for the following season, but doing so remains a personal choice rather than a requirement.
Antonelli’s decision reflects his attachment to No. 12, a number that has become closely linked to his racing identity. Instead of adopting a number associated with his new status, he intends to continue using the one that has accompanied him throughout his journey.
The number also carries a connection to Ayrton Senna, one of Antonelli’s racing idols. The legendary Brazilian driver has long inspired the young Italian, adding another layer of meaning to his choice.
For Antonelli, retaining No. 12 is about more than familiarity. It represents a personal connection to his motorsport journey and the influences that helped shape his ambitions. The number has become part of his identity, and his championship success has not changed that preference.
The decision stands out because No. 1 is widely recognised as a symbol of Formula 1 supremacy. Traditionally associated with the reigning champion, it offers a visible reminder of the driver who finished the previous season at the top.
Yet Antonelli has demonstrated that the title does not necessarily require a change in identity. While the championship brings recognition and new expectations, he appears content to carry on with the number that has personal value to him.
His choice also comes as he prepares for the challenge of defending his crown. A new season brings fresh competition, pressure and expectations, and Antonelli will enter the campaign with the same number that marked his rise through the sport.
Rather than making a symbolic switch, the champion has opted for continuity. Keeping No. 12 allows him to maintain a familiar connection as he takes on the demands of another Formula 1 season.
Antonelli’s decision highlights the individual nature of driver-number choices in modern Formula 1. While some champions may embrace No. 1 as a badge of achievement, others prefer to preserve the numbers that have accompanied their careers.
As the 2027 season approaches, Antonelli’s car will continue to feature No. 12. His choice underlines a simple message: becoming world champion may change a driver’s place in the sport, but it does not necessarily change the number they feel represents them best.
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