INDEPENDENT RACING JOURNALISMFacts. Context. Evidence.
GPBeat.comGPBeat.com
THE INDEPENDENT RACING DESK
ENNL
F1 news
F1 / NEWS & CONTEXT
Conceptual AI-generated editorial motorsport illustration; not a documentary photograph or evidence that a pictured event, meeting or transfer occurred.

Antonelli will keep No. 12 after F1 title win

Conceptual AI-generated editorial motorsport illustration; not a documentary photograph or evidence that a pictured event, meeting or transfer occurred. · 2026-11-02GPBeat newsroom · News Made Clear generated illustration

The new champion says No. 12 is special to him and that superstition about No. 1 also shaped his choice.

From the GPBeat newsroomPublished · · 1 min

Kimi Antonelli says he will keep car No. 12 next season rather than switch to No. 1 after winning the 2026 Formula 1 world championship.

At the post-race press conference in Mexico City, Antonelli said No. 12 is special to him and helps him stay grounded and humble. He also said he is superstitious: No. 1 has never been a good number for him. Keeping 12, he said, gives him a fresh starting point from which to build and improve.

Sources 01
  1. PRIMARY SOURCEF1 - 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix Post-Race & World Champion's Press Conference TranscriptFIA news and transcripts