Source: REUTERS/Claudia Greco
[Saba Sports News] Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Jack Doohan both wanted to use the number 12 in the upcoming F1 rookie season, but since the Mercedes team applied early, Antonelli already used the number 12 during the first practice session of the Italian Grand Prix, thus winning the number battle with Doohan. According to F1 rules, once a driver selects a number, it stays with them throughout their career, and a number can only be reused two years after the previous driver leaves the sport. No driver has used number 12 since 2019. Antonelli said the number is special to him, as he’s been using it since his F4 days, and it has brought him good luck, so he sees no reason to change. Doohan claimed he had considered using 12 during the summer break, and after signing with Alpine, he had publicly expressed his desire to use it, but since he applied late, he will now be forced to choose another number. It’s worth mentioning that F1 legend Ayrton Senna also used the number 12 in the 1980s.