Lewis Hamilton was completely sideswiped by ex-Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo when asked for his views on current situations within Formula 1.
The Italian, who was chief at the Italian marque between 1991 and 2014, was responsible for helping to oversee the team’s change in fortunes from the turn of the Millennium.
During his tenure, di Montezemolo brought in Jean Todt as Team Principal, which preceded the arrival of Michael Schumacher, who won its first F1 title in over 20 years in 2000.
The 78-year-old, who has recently joined the McLaren board of directors, was in attendance at the London premiere of a documentary film on his career – ‘Luca: Seeing Red’.
Di Montezemolo gave his thoughts on some of the current drivers in F1, and lavished praise upon the resurgent Max Verstappen.
“Today I have to say, for me, Verstappen is by far the number one,” he said, per Reuters.
“Even in the last race in Baku, difficult conditions, he never lost control. He was always quick. He never makes mistakes.”
Di Montezemolo, as a side point, made reference to the Scuderia’s most recent driver pairing of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.
The latter was of course ousted in favour of Hamilton from this year onwards. The Spaniard opted to join Williams, and took his first podium in Baku last weekend.
“Sainz and Leclerc was a very good couple. But no question, Verstappen is by far the best in my view. By far,” he said.
Current Ferrari boss also ignored amid happiness for Binotto’s Audi work
Not only did di Montezemolo fail to mention Hamilton, but also gave no reference to Ferrari’s current Team Principal Fred Vasseur.
“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.
The only Ferrari stalwart of any description mentioned was former Team Principal Mattia Binotto, who is now COO of Sauber amid its transition to Audi for next year.
Di Montezemolo revealed his happiness for his countryman, and spoke of the team’s possession of its impressive rookie star Gabriel Bortoleto.
“I am happy now for Binotto… he is investing in the future with a good Brazilian young driver looking ahead,” he concluded.
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