F1 champion Antonelli plans to retain No. 12

Kimi Antonelli secured the Formula 1 world championship with third place at the Mexican Grand Prix. He is the first Italian champion in 73 years and succeeds Lando Norris. After the race he said he will keep number 12 next season instead of taking number 1, so the champion's number will be absent from the 2027 grid for the first time since 2021. Antonelli called 12 special as his first single-seater number and a way to stay grounded and humble, adding he is superstitious because number 1 has never been good for him. He is the first champion to race with 12 since Ayrton Senna in 1988 and will wear a special helmet for Senna in Brazil, 35 years after Senna's home win stuck in sixth gear. Mercedes principal Toto Wolff said it seems like yesterday Antonelli was 11 years old in the junior karting garage. Lewis Hamilton said after clashing with Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc that they lost valuable points they could easily have been one-two and that something needs to change. CONTESTED: none found. Ferrari marked its 19th consecutive year without a champion driver.