Montezemolo and the relaunch of Ferrari, the film 'Luca: Seeing Red' in London

The film, however, goes further, following his exit from Ferrari in 2014 and the many steps that followed, from managing director of Cinzano to the Azzurra sailing boat that made history at the America's Cup in 1983, from organising Italia 90 and the final concert of the Three Tenors to founding Italo, 'the first real privatisation of a monopoly'.

In spite of his bitterness over the split from Ferrari and its aftermath (the film crew was not allowed to film in Maranello) Montezemolo is philosophical: 'It's a bad thing to be jealous of the past,' he says. Above all, he is proud of his history, which he calls 'all Italian'.

Luca: Seeing Red is also, and perhaps above all, a film about the importance of human relationships and friendship: Montezemolo does not hesitate to talk about the deep bond forged with Lauda, which lasted until the death of the Austrian driver whom he describes as 'the friend of my life', and the important relationship built with Schumacher. 'Friendship and loyalty are fundamental for me,' he affirms. 'A few friends, but real ones'.

Dulcis in fundo, the film also strengthened the friendship between the protagonist and Harris, who had been following his career for many years. 'I knew him as a good journalist who followed the automotive world, but during the filming we got on very well together and I like him very much as a person,' Montezemolo explains.

Harris, for his part, does not hide the admiration he has always felt for Montezemolo, but which, he says, was reinforced by the time they spent together on the film: 'He is the most interesting man I have ever met in my professional life,' he declared. 'This is not the usual biographical film, but a love letter to a complicated and charismatic man whom I am honoured to have known.

The original plan was to release the film simultaneously in 14 theatres of the Everyman chain, but the demand for tickets was such that it will be shown in 28 cinemas: the combination of Ferrari, Montezemolo and Harris was irresistible to the British.

The gala evening with a conversation between the protagonists after the film screening will take place tonight at the Everyman in Bayswater, London. Among the many guests are expected to be Bernie Ecclestone, legendary Formula One patron, Stefano Domenicali, F1 president, Laurence Stroll, Aston Martin patron, and Nick Mason of Pink Floyd, a passionate Ferrari collector.

After the London event, Luca: Seeing Red will be presented in Modena on 2 October and then in Rome on 8 October.