Max Verstappen set apart from Lewis Hamilton as Christian Horner makes ominous prediction

Max Verstappen secured his third Formula 1 world title in the Qatar Grand Prix Sprint race, after which Red Bull boss Christian Horner heaped praise on the Dutchman

Christian Horner labelled Max Verstappen "the most competitive driver I've ever met" as he explained what he thinks makes the Dutchman a cut above the rest.

Verstappen is officially a three-time Formula 1 world champion after finishing second in the Qatar Grand Prix Sprint. He didn't even need to do that to make sure of his crown on Saturday – his title was certain after Sergio Perez crashed out of the short-form race.

And, at the age of 26, he has plenty of time to add even more trophies to his already formidable collection. Verstappen still has a way to go, though, before matching the most decorated drivers in F1 history.

Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher boast seven titles each and before he can think about catching them Verstappen will hope to match Sebastian Vettel on four next year. Those two drivers are the only two to date to deliver the world championship while racing for Red Bull.

Horner was team principal back when Vettel was in his prime as well, so he knows what it's like to witness greatness in F1. But the 49-year-old is adamant that Verstappen is bringing something he has never seen before.

"He's the most competitive driver I've ever met. The determination that he drives with, the passion, the heart, the commitment and, of course, the abundance of skill that he has... he's up there with the very best, some of the best the sport has seen," he declared.

"This season has just surpassed anything we've ever seen. We did a lot of winning with Sebastian but this has taken it to yet another level. And he's only 26... I think he's going to get better, to evolve and I think he's still going to grow as a driver.

"The self-belief and self-confidence he has to go out and nail it and to deliver. We've seen it in the wet, on out laps, in changing conditions. It's just quite outstanding and, for me, is the biggest thing is his ability to be at one with the car and that confidence in himself is something I think is the stand-out."

And Horner also paid tribute to his entire workforce. He added: "It's been by far the most dominant and that's come as no surprise. To see Max join some of the great names – Brabham, Senna, Piquet, Lauda, Sir Jackie Stewart – he's in that bracket now. The way he has driven this year has been out of this world and I think you have to take a moment to reflect on that.

"Everything he has done this year has been phenomenal. And the whole team as well, the way they've galvanised and are working so well together – not just here but all the unsung heroes back at the factory across 22 different departments that make up our team. This is the culmination of that."