Red Bull’s Helmut Marko has shed light on how the future of Kimi 🎶Antonelli might have turned out differently.

The talented ܫteenager is set to drive in FP1ꦕ at the F1 Italian Grand Prix on Friday for Mercedes.

Antonelli, 18, is expected to be named as Lewis Hamilton’s successor at Mercedes, re𒆙presenting a hugely brave move for the team to place their faith in the youngster.

Marko insisted that Red Bull - whose junior drive programme is also formidable - never had a chance to cons👍ider recruiting Ant💛onelli.

But he suggesꦫts that Ferrari opted against signing him.

“H🌊e was driving for Tony Kart,” Marko told the Inside Line F1 podcast.

“Tony Kart, in the past🐈, had a cooperat♍ion with Ferrari.

“But you can’t have all the drivers! Ferrari obviously didn’t take Antonelli even though they had first choicཧe.”

Antonelli has been fast tracked this season into Formula 2 by Mercedes, wh♑ere he has won a sprint 𒁃and a feature race.

But replacing Hamilt𝓡on in Formula 1 at a frontrunning team represents a major new challenge, if he is confirmed.

“I am not so informed about the details of Antonelli,” Marko said. “I know he was ꧂testing a lot in a Formula 1 car.

“If someone has the talent, and the team is bravꦡe enough to do it…”

Mercedes’ faith in Antonelli echoes Red Bull’s decision to back a teenage Max Veཧrstappen.

Verstappen, on course for a fourth F1🐼 title in a ✃row, has justified Red Bull’s bold move.

“We showed it with Max. It’s the right approওach♔,” Marko said.

“🌜If someone is coming up, and he’s got the talent? Get him in the car.”

Did Red Bull’s approach with Verstappen influe♋nce Mercedes’ call to back 🥃Antonelli?

Marko said: “For sure, it helped them ma🐻ke their decision…”