Max Verstappen of Red Bull won his third Formula One world championship while still competing on Saturday when teammate and only title competitor Sergio Perez crashed out of the Qatar Grand Prix sprint.
With the major grand prix taking place on Sunday, Mexican Perez needed to finish in the top three positions to keep the championship officially open for another day. However, he started eighth and fell to 11th before colliding with Alpine's Esteban Ocon on lap 11.
Perez got out of the Red Bull as it got stuck in the gravel. Verstappen, who was competing in third place at the time, was thus crowned champion for a third consecutive year regardless of his position on the podium.
For the race on Sunday, the 26-year-old Dutch driver will start from pole position with the aim of his 14th victory in 17 grand prixs.
(Photo: Mark Thompson-Getty Images/ Reuters)
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