In Formula 1, a drivers 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.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 Sennas number, revealing how deeply the Brazilian icon has influenced his own path to F1.The Senna ConnectionAntonelli was born in 2006, 12 years after Sennas 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 Sennas greatest drives alongside his father.When asked by the podcast hosts why he selected the number 12, Antonellis 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=41049781Because of my racing idol, Antonelli explained. He raced with the number 12, he won his first world championship with number 12, and hes 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 RanksFor Antonelli, the number 12 isnt just a tribute to Sennaits 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 teams 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 ImagesFor 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 forcea 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 dont know, at times still gives you goosebumps, Antonelli revealed with a massive smile. Because its like, also the car is just so beautiful youre like, Oh man, Im 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 1s legendary past and its incredibly bright future.