Max Verstappen hails third championship as 'the best' after most consistent season

Red Bull ace Max Verstappen believes his recently-secured third Formula 1 world championship is the best of his career.

The 26-year-old Dutchman has emulated Sir Jackie Stewart and Ayrton Senna, among others, after being crowned a triple world champion with six Grands Prix remaining - equalling Michael Schumacher's 21-year-old record.

Red Bull's Verstappen has dominated F1 since he beat Lewis Hamilton to clinch his maiden championship at the deeply controversial season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2021.

And his coronation of this most one-sided of campaigns was confirmed on lap 11 of 19 of a frantic sprint race when Sergio Perez in the other Red Bull crashed out under the floodlights of the Lusail International Circuit.

Praise doesn't get much higher than this ?#QatarGP #F1 @Max33Verstappen @LandoNorris pic.twitter.com/fssRFkvPFG

A run of wins

Verstappen has failed to win just three of the 16 rounds so far this season, and he became the first driver in history to win 10 consecutive races following a remarkable unbeaten streak from the opening weekend of May in Miami to the Italian Grand Prix on 3 September.

Verstappen's title parade will start here at 20:00 local time (19:00 SA time)) when the lights go out on Sunday's 57-lap Grand Prix.

"This championship is the best one," said Verstappen.

"The first one was the most emotional because that is when my dreams were fulfilled. But this has been my best year in terms of performance.

"I am the most proud of this one because of how consistent I have been. I will have quite a few sparkling waters tonight, but I will be here [on Sunday]."

Verstappen's championship-winning campaign has been one led mainly from the front, but the Dutchman dropped from third to fifth at the end of the