Former Ferrari president, Luca di Montezemolo is in no doubt as to who he would want driving one of his cars were he still in charge.

The 78-year-old, headed various factions of the Fiat empire before returning to Maranello in 1991 as president of Ferrari, the Italian outfit still struggling in the wake of the death of its founder.

As well as putting the road car division back on its feet, Montezemolo gradually put in place the various factors that would lead to the Scuderia's domination of the sport in the early to mid-2000s, appointing the likes of Jean Todt who is turn recruited Ross Brawn, Rory Byrne and Michael Schumacher.

In terms of the actual race team the Italian had form, in 1974, he had been personally appointed sporting director by Enzo Ferrari going on to overseeing Niki Lauda's title wins in 1975 and 1977.

Now a director of McLaren Group Holdings Ltd, the Italian recently accused his former team of lacking leadership, and indeed criticising the management structure of the Maranello outfit.

"It lacks a strong, determined soul," he said. "It is crucial to choose the right people," he added, "in my day, I had highly valuable collaborators, number ones and number twos."

Speaking at the London premiere of 'Luca: Seeing Red' - yet another F1 inspired documentary - the Italian doubled-down on his criticism of the current team.

"If tomorrow morning I will be obliged to go to work in Ferrari, in one week I have clear in my mind who to put in different positions," he said, opting not to name names.

However, one person he did name was former team boss Mattia Binotto, for whom he still has great respect.

"I am happy now for Binotto," he said of the Sauber - soon to be Audi - boss, "he is investing in the future with a good Brazilian young driver, looking ahead."

While avoiding discussing the current driver line-up, were he back in charge there is no doubt as to who would be sitting in one of his cars.

"Today I have to say, for me, Verstappen is by far the number one," he said. "Even in the last race in Baku, difficult conditions, he never lost control. He was always quick. He never makes a mistake.

"Sainz and Leclerc was a very good couple," he added. "But no question, Verstappen is by far the best in my view... by far."