Kimi Antonelli won’t run the champion’s No. 1 on his Mercedes in 2027, saying No. 12 keeps him grounded and that No. 1 “has never been a good number” for him.

 

Antonelli gave his answer in the press conference after clinching the title in Mexico. It means No. 1 will be missing from the grid for the first time since 2021, Motorsport.com noted. Max Verstappen and Lando Norris both took it after winning their titles.