July 20 (Reuters) - Top BASF China executive Markus Kamieth is leading the race to succeed Martin Brudermueller as the CEO of BASF, the Financial Times reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Kamieth, the board member overseeing BASF's operations in China, is backed by Brudermueller, the report added.

Brudermueller has been chosen to take over as head of the supervisory board of Mercedes-Benz next year.

BASF did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. (Reporting by Gursimran Kaur in Bengaluru; Editing by Savio D'Souza)