Kimi Antonelli Reveals Why He Chose Ayrton Senna’s #12: “It Still Gives Me Goosebumps”

In Formula 1, a driver’s permanent race number is highly personal. It becomes a central part of their brand, their merchandise, and their legacy. When Kimi Antonelli arrived at Mercedes to replace Lewis Hamilton, he had his pick of available numbers.

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He immediately chose the number 12.

For the average viewer, a number is just a digit painted on the nosecone. But for motorsport purists, the number 12 carries an immense, almost holy weight. It was the number that defined the early McLaren career of the legendary Ayrton Senna, the three-time world champion and a man widely regarded as one of the greatest talents to ever sit in a Formula 1 cockpit.

During a recent appearance on the Significant Figures podcast, Antonelli opened up about the emotional and historical significance of selecting Senna’s number, revealing how deeply the Brazilian icon has influenced his own path to F1.

The Senna Connection

Antonelli was born in 2006, 12 years after Senna’s tragic passing at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. However, as the son of a sportscar driver and team owner (Marco Antonelli), Kimi grew up immersed in motorsport history. He spent his childhood watching DVDs of Senna’s greatest drives alongside his father.

When asked by the podcast hosts why he selected the number 12, Antonelli’s answer was immediate and deeply reverent.

By Instituto Ayrton Sennaderivative work: Karpouzi – This file was derived from: Ayrton Senna in 1988..jpg, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=41049781

“Because of my racing idol,” Antonelli explained. “He raced with the number 12, he won his first world championship with number 12, and he’s like my inspiration in motorsport”.

Senna famously carried the number 12 during his 1988 championship campaign with McLaren. Driving the dominant, Honda-powered MP4/4, Senna used the number 12 as he battled his teammate Alain Prost, ultimately securing his maiden title by winning eight Grands Prix that year.

Carrying the Number Through the Ranks

For Antonelli, the number 12 isn’t just a tribute to Senna—it’s a personal good luck charm that he has carried throughout his junior career.

“Also in my first single seater, you know, when in junior series, [it] was my first number,” Antonelli noted.

Due to the rigid numbering rules in the Formula 2 championship (where numbers are assigned based on the team’s championship finish the previous year), Antonelli was temporarily forced to drop his beloved #12 during his fast-tracked F2 campaign with PREMA Racing. However, the moment he secured his F1 promotion with Mercedes, he reclaimed it.

“As soon in Formula 1, as soon as I had the chance, I put it on the car,” he said.

May 24, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CANADA; Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli (12) celebrates his win during the Lenovo Grand Prix Du Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

For a teenager stepping into the immense pressure of the Mercedes garage, carrying the legacy of both Lewis Hamilton and Ayrton Senna could easily be overwhelming. But for Antonelli, the number 12 serves as a grounding force—a visual reminder of his roots and his ultimate idol.

“I love walking in the garage before a session, giving a look at the car, the number, everything. It just gives you, I don’t know, at times still gives you goosebumps,” Antonelli revealed with a massive smile. “Because it’s like, also the car is just so beautiful… you’re like, ‘Oh man, I’m about to be driving this car with this number on track,’ and it just gives you a great feeling before the session”.

Every time the #12 Mercedes rolls out of the pit lane, it represents a perfect bridge between Formula 1’s legendary past and its incredibly bright future.

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