Max Verstappen seals third Formula One world title as rookie Oscar Piastri wins Qatar sprint

Max Verstappen has been crowned Formula One world champion for the third time in succession after he finished second to Oscar Piastri in Saturday's chaotic sprint round in Qatar.

The 26-year-old Dutchman has emulated Jackie Stewart and Ayrton Senna by wrapping up his third title with six grands prix still remaining - equalling Michael Schumacher's 21-year-old record.

Red Bull's Verstappen has dominated Formula One since he beat seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton to clinch his maiden title at the deeply controversial season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2021.

And his runner-up finish, coupled with Sergio Perez's failure to finish in the top three - he crashed out with eight laps remaining - was enough to seal the deal under the floodlights of the Lusail International Circuit.

Verstappen's championship parade will start at Sunday's 57-lap Grand Prix here in Qatar.

Lando Norris finished third for McLaren, one place ahead of Mercedes' George Russell with Lewis Hamilton fifth.

Verstappen's championship-winning campaign has been one largely led from the front but the Dutchman dropped from third to fifth at the end of the opening lap.

As Russell blasted from fourth to second, a slow-starting Verstappen fell down the order, with Ferrari pair Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc leapfrogging the Red Bull man.

Verstappen momentarily got out of shape at the opening right-hander, with Fernando Alonso nibbling at the back of his machine.

The Dutchman survived and then slung his Red Bull underneath Lando Norris, who had started second, to take fifth.

Moments later, Liam Lawson beached his AlphaTauri and out came the safety car. Meanwhile, Perez, who had to finish in the top three to prevent Verstappen from taking the title, had dropped from