The shocking fight for the start numbers - Antonelli defeats Doohan!

The shocking fight for the start numbers - Antonelli defeats Doohan!

An exciting duel about the start numbers in Formula 1 caused a sensation before the first race of the 2025 season. The three rookies Kimi Antonelli, Jack Doohan and Franco Colapinto were the focus of this discussion. The Italian Antonelli has secured the coveted start number "12", which is of particular importance for him. Like Berlin Live , the number was considered one of the best known in Formula 1, since the legendary Ayrton Senna became world champion. Antonelli, confessed Senna fan, had already expressed his preference for the number in the previous year and already used it as a test driver for Mercedes.

Jack Doohan, on the other hand, who will compete for Alpine, originally also claimed the "12". After Antonelli registered his number, however, Doohan had to be satisfied with the "7", which was shaped by Kimi Raikkonen. Now Doohan will start the season with this number. He himself says: "I really wanted to have a start number with which I have already started," like Formel1.de . Raikkönen, who competed with the "7" from 2014 to 2021, this number officially released in 2024.

The meaning of the start numbers

The selection of start numbers in Formula 1 has its rules. A driver is entitled to his personal number for two years after leaving. After this period, she will be available again, which Doohan gave the opportunity to take the "7" after she became free. The return of this number in the F1 cosmos is not only a nostalgic homage of Raikkonen, but also a personal incentive for Doohan. According to his statement, the "7" will have a special meaning for his career, and he hopes that it will bring him luck.

Franco Colapinto, meanwhile, remains without a fixed place this season and was accordingly external for the number of numbers. While the competitive situation remains exciting among the rookies, Antonelli and Doohan are about claiming their place in Formula 1 with the numbers assigned to them.

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