Jenson Button has tipped Toro Rosso rookie Carlos Sainz Jr for a successful career in Formula 1 after an impressive start to 2015.
The Spaniard joined Max Verstappen in a new-look lineup and has scored points in three of the first five races this season.
Button believes that while Verstappen is taking plenty of headlines, the performances of Sainz deserve credit.
He is quoted by F1i as saying: "Everyone obviously talks about Verstappen and he is very quick, but when I sit down with his teammate, Carlos, I think that he's very intelligent and I feel that he doesn't just have the speed, he has other qualities as well.
"He's an intelligent guy and that can really make the difference in this sport. So I'm impressed by how mature Carlos is and I think that will show this season. When they have difficult situations I think his strengths will come through."
Button is yet to score a point for McLaren this term as they struggle with reliability.
