Veteran former world champion Formula One driver Jenson Button says Daniel Ricciardo's focus will help him overcome a difficult 2015 season.
On the eve of the first Grand Prix of the year in Melbourne, Button said the young Australian driver had the sheer speed to compete.
Red Bull's Ricciardo was hoping to build on a strong 2014 but his 2015 car struggled for speed and consistency.
"I'm sure he learned a lot in a difficult situation he found himself in last year - we all go through it," Button told reporters on Wednesday.
"You need that to fight for a world championship."
Button said Ricciardo - who he calls "Ricky Bobby" after a Will Ferrell NASCAR movie character - would be better for last year's tough run.
"The most important thing about Daniel is his unbelievable focus when it comes to racing," Button said.
"I think we all know that he's very talented and he doesn't really let anything from the outside world get in the way when he gets in the car - he's very focused."
Button and McLaren-Honda teammate Fernando Alonso on Wednesday answered questions about their own chances honestly.
"Last year was a really difficult year for us as a team," Button said.
"We're used to winning, we're used to fighting in front and, largely, we weren't doing that."
Button said the drivers "really don't know" how McLaren-Honda will do this year, but picked Mercedes to dominate the season again.
"When you see them in winter testing, the mileage they can put in ... they're very strong," Button said.
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