Red Bull team boss Christian Horner hailed newly-crowned three-time world champion Max Verstappen as “the most competitive driver I’ve ever seen” on Saturday after he clinched his third title at the Qatar Grand Prix.

As tributes flowed and the Red Bull team celebrated in their black “champion” t-shirts, Horner described the 26-year-old Dutchman as “phenomenal” and “out of this world”. “He’s been by far the most dominant so it’s come as no surprise, but to see Max join some of the great names we spoke about earlier,” said Horner.