Ex-Formula 1 driver thinks Max Verstappen will win drivers' championship in 2020

Former Formula 1 driver Gijs van Lennep believes that "very nice guy" Max Verstappen will become world champion at Red Bull at the end of the 2020 season.

Verstappen's rise in Formula 1 has literally attracted the attention of millions of Dutch fans, and his compatriot van Lennep describes what the 21-year-old driver is doing with the sport in his own country as "wonderful".

"I think it's wonderful," van Lennep said to Motorsport.com. "In our time, we had a number of enthusiasts, but that was a small group and now you suddenly have a much wider audience. That is not only because Max drivers well, but he is also a very nice guy."

The 77-year-old is full of praise for the young Verstappen and is adamant that one day he'll become world champion; and he believes that will be sooner rather than later.

"He is a smart guy, he talks well and actually does everything well," the Dutchman added. "People like that, because that's why we look at sports. I think it (winning the world championship) will happen next year, for sure."

Verstappen has enjoyed a very good 2019 period, with the Dutchman winning two races and becoming the first man to stop Mercedes all season when he won a thrilling race in Austria.