Max Verstappen clinches third straight F1 world title

Red Bull's Max Verstappen clinched a third straight Formula One world title when his only remaining rival, team-mate Sergio Perez, crashed out in the sprint race at the Qatar Grand Prix.

Perez was part of a three-car incident in lap 11 of 19 at the Lusail International Circuit, hit by the spinning Alpine of Esteban Ocon which ended their race and that of Haas driver Nico Hülkenberg.

That assured Verstappen of the title a few minutes before he was set to wrap it up anyway, placed third at the time and only sixth place needed to clinch matters.

The Dutchman has completely dominated the season by winning 13 of the 16 grands prix - including an F1 record 10 in a row. He clinched the title ahead of Sunday's Qatar GP, which he will start from pole, and the remaining four race weekends of the season.

Verstappen is the fifth driver in the sport's 73-year history to win three titles in a row. He joins Juan Manuel Fangio (four straight 1954-1957), Michael Schumacher (five 2000-2004), Sebastian Vettel (four 2010-2013) and Lewis Hamilton (four 2017-2020).