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

The talented teenager i𓃲s set to drive inও FP1 at the F1 Italian Grand Prix on Friday for Mercedes.

Antonelli, 18, is expected to be named as Lewis Hamil🍸ton’s successor at Mercedes, representing 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 - ne🎉ver had a chance to consider recruiting Antonelli.

But he suggests t🔥hat Ferrari opted against ൲signing him.

“He was driving for Tony 𝄹Kart,” Marko told the Inside Line F1 podcast.

“Tony Kart, in th🌟e past, had a cooperation with Ferrari.

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

Antonelli has been fast tracked this season into Formula 2 by Mercedes, where he has won aᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚ sprint and a feature race.

But replacing Hamilton in Formula 1 at𓄧 a frontrunning team represents a major new challen𝔉ge, 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 For✅mula 1 car.

“ไIf someone has the talent, and the team is brave enough to do it…”

Mercedes’ faith in Antonelli echoes Red Bull’♎s decision to back a tee🅠nage Max Verstappen.

Verstappen, on course for a fourth F1 title in a row, has j💜ustified Red Bull’s bold move.

“We showed it with Max. It’s the right approach,” Ma𒈔rk🅷o said.

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

Did Red Bu🎉ll’s approach with Verstappen influence Mercedes’ call to back Antonelli?

Marko said: “For sure, it helped them make their decis♛ion…”