On 5 November 2026 the motorsport world celebrated a historic moment: twenty-year-old Kimi Antonelli secured the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship in Mexico. The victory marked the arrival of the youngest title-winner in the sport’s modern era and immediately sparked a conversation about the number he will wear for the next season. While many champions automatically adopt the coveted number 1, Antonelli announced a different path, cementing his bond with a number already steeped in Brazilian racing lore.
Speaking to Italian outlet Blick, the newly crowned driver explained that his focus remains on delivering the performance required in Mexico, but that once the season ends he intends to “continue competing with my number 12.” The statement was accompanied by a playful reference to his personal superstition – “Porta sfiga” – suggesting that the number 1 brings bad luck. This sentiment echoes the approach of former champion Lewis Hamilton, who famously retained number 44 rather than switching to the champion’s digit, and contrasts with the recent choice of Max Verstappen, who embraced number 1 after his own title wins.
Why number 12 matters to Antonelli
The number 12 is not a random pick for Antonelli; it is a direct homage to his idol, three-time world champion Ayrton Senna. Senna piloted a Lotus chassis bearing the same digit during his 1985-86 Lotus campaigns, before the permanent driver-number system was introduced. Antonelli, a lifelong fan, has repeatedly spoken about Senna’s influence on his career, describing the Brazilian legend as the figure who inspired his love of speed. After stepping into the Lotus at a Brazilian farm, Antonelli posted on Instagram that the experience was “unforgettable” and that the memory would stay with him forever, underscoring how the number serves as a bridge between past and present.
A Brazilian pilgrimage: sitting in Senna’s Lotus
Just a day before the São Paulo Grand Prix, Antonelli travelled to the Fazenda Dois Lagos estate in Brazil, the site where Senna’s historic Lotus 12 is kept. Accompanied by Senna’s father Marco and the champion’s grandchildren – Bruno, Lalalli and Bianca – the young world champion was photographed inside the 1986 Lotus cockpit, with the familiar yellow helmet displayed nearby. The visit was more than ceremonial; it was a tangible link to the driver whose number Antonelli now carries. In his post-visit message, Antonelli thanked the Senna family and admitted that fully absorbing the experience would take time, highlighting the emotional weight of sharing a physical space once occupied by a legend.
Numbers in modern F1: tradition versus change
Antonelli’s stance on the number 12 has reverberated through the paddock, prompting reactions from team leaders and fellow drivers. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff used the occasion to defend teammate George Russell, who has recently been linked to the number 2 in discussions sparked by former Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko. Wolff praised Russell’s talent, stating that a more suitable car could easily turn him into a champion. Meanwhile, Antonelli revealed a light-hearted celebration plan: he may dye his hair in two exotic colours after a win, a nod to the flamboyant individuality that often accompanies number changes in the sport.
These conversations illuminate a broader trend in Formula 1: drivers balancing personal branding, superstition, and respect for history when selecting their racing numbers. While some, like Verstappen, view the number 1 as a badge of dominance, others, including Antonelli, perceive it as a potential burden. By keeping number 12, Antonelli not only honors Senna’s legacy but also crafts a distinctive identity that separates him from the shadow of the champion’s digit.
As the 2026 season draws to a close and the spotlight shifts to the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos, Antonelli will step onto the grid donning the same number that once graced Senna’s Lotus. Whether the choice proves a psychological edge or merely a sentimental tribute, it underscores how deeply personal narratives continue to shape the high-speed world of Formula 1.
