Despite the traditional privilege of carrying the number 1 on his car as the reigning champion, the Italian driver has opted to stick with his current number 12. Antonelli, who became the first Italian to win the championship in 73 years, expressed a clear preference for maintaining his current identity on the track rather than adopting the prestigious digit.
Superstition and Staying Grounded
Reflecting on his emotional victory, Antonelli admitted he was still processing the magnitude of his achievement. Sharing the podium with established stars like Verstappen and Hamilton served as a highlight of what he described as an incredible season. While he acknowledged feeling increased tension heading into the Mexico City weekend, he expressed relief at having successfully secured the title with races still remaining in the calendar.
The decision to decline the number 1 plate is rooted in both personal sentiment and a strong sense of superstition. Antonelli explained that the number 12 holds significant personal value, serving as a constant reminder to remain humble and grounded as he continues his career. He noted that keeping his original number provides a fresh starting point, allowing him to focus on further improvement rather than resting on his current success.
Furthermore, the champion revealed that his past experiences with the number 1 have been far from positive. According to the Mercedes driver, whenever he has utilized the number 1 in previous racing contexts, his performance suffered significantly. Consequently, he views the number 12 as a safer and more meaningful choice for his future campaigns, ensuring he avoids what he considers a streak of bad luck associated with the champion's traditional identifier.
