Andrea Kimi Antonelli has settled the debate before it even properly started. The Mercedes driver is on the verge of winning the 2026 F1 championship, needing just two points at this Sunday's Mexico City Grand Prix to seal the deal. But rather than getting swept up in the tradition of taking the number one plate as the reigning champion, Antonelli's already decided he's sticking with his current number 12. The Italian told Blick that once he clinches the title, he'll continue competing with 12 instead of switching to 1.
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This puts Antonelli in rare company when it comes to modern champions. Since permanent race numbers rolled out in 2014, only Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, and Sebastian Vettel have actually used the number one plate as defending champions. Lewis Hamilton set the blueprint for doing things differently, keeping his iconic number 44 throughout his six titles with Mercedes. Now Antonelli's following that same path, choosing to honor his idol Ayrton Senna instead of embracing the tradition.
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The choice carries serious meaning for the 20-year-old. He selected number 12 specifically because Senna used it from 1985 to 1988, first at Lotus and then McLaren, where he claimed his maiden world championship in 1988. It's a tribute that matters deeply to Antonelli, and winning the title wouldn't change that commitment. Senna eventually switched to number 1 when he became champion in 1989, but the rules were different then. Modern drivers now get to choose, and Antonelli knows exactly what he wants to do.
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If Antonelli seals the championship in Mexico, he'll become the youngest ever F1 champion at just 20 years old. He'd also become only the third Italian to win the title after Giuseppe Farina in 1950 and Alberto Ascari in 1952 and 1953. Defending a championship will be totally new territory for him too, having always moved up through the junior categories after winning titles. But at least one decision's already locked in: number 12 is here to stay.
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