Andrea Kimi Antonelli debuts for Mercedes with number 12

This Friday (30), the young Italian Andrea Kimi Antonelli began his journey in Formula 1. The driver chose the emblematic number 12, which was used by legends of the main world automobile category, Ayrton Senna being the main one. Antonelli, who replaced George Russell in the first free practice in Monza, started well, but ended up losing control of the Mercedes and stopped at the tire barrier. The Italian is one of the main candidates to replace Lewis Hamilton, who is leaving for Ferrari in 2025.

The legacy of number 12 in F1

The number 12 is quite popular in Formula 1, having been used by 151 different drivers, but few have left their mark on history as much as Ayrton Senna. The Brazilian driver arrived in Formula 1 in 1984, through the British team Toleman, using the number 19. However, when he transferred to Lotus in 1985, he adopted the number 12, which he used until his first year at McLaren in 1988.

When he became champion of that edition, the Brazilian abandoned the numbering to use the traditional number 1, reserved for current champions. The number 12 was also used by legends of the sport, such as the 1992 F1 champion Nigel Mansell and the three-time world champion Niki Lauda. However, it was Senna who wore the numbering the most, using it in 64 GPs.

_{Kimi Antonelli crashes and damages Russell's car on his F1 debut (Reproduction/YouTube/Esporte na Band)}

First experience

Andrea Kimi Antonelli is considered one of the most promising drivers in motorsport. A graduate of the Mercedes driver academy, the Italian is expecting to be confirmed by team boss Toto Wolff as Lewis Hamilton's replacement at Mercedes from 2025, as the Englishman will be moving to Ferrari next season. Antonelli began his journey this weekend when he replaced English driver George Russell in the free practice sessions that open the activities for the Monza GP, which will take place next Sunday, September 1st.

The Italian prospect started well at first, but an accident took him out of training right at the start of the session. The Italian lost control of his Mercedes and went into a flat tire at the Parabolica curve. Hamilton, who was also on the track, saw his teammate and the damaged car and slowed down to check if Kimi was okay.

Despite the scare, the young driver is doing well. Andrea Kimi Antonelli currently competes in F2 for Prema Racing and is regularly called to test Mercedes cars. With an excellent track record in the Formula 1 access divisions, Antonelli was champion of the Italian and German Formula 4 and also won in the regional formulas of Europe and the Middle East.

This Friday (30), the 2nd free practice session will take place at 12 pm. On Saturday (31), the qualifying session will start at 11 am and the start is scheduled for Sunday, September 1st, at 10 am, Brasília time.

Featured photo: Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Prema Racing driver (Mercedes). (Reproduction/instagram/@kimi.antonelli)