Max Verstappen teases retirement after Red Bull star secures third F1 title in Qatar

Verstappen is the sport's dominant force, with the Belgian-Dutch driver streaks ahead of the rest.

Yet despite the success he's enjoyed in recent years, the Red Bull star is refusing to rule out an early retirement from the sport.

“We’ll just see what happens," he said when asked about his future.

"I’m enjoying the moment and we’re going to try and keep this momentum going for a while.”

Verstappen's father, Jos, has been blown away by the way his son has been able to dominate and leave the rest of the drivers competing behind.

“He’s been so dominant this year. He delivered really well and we’re very proud about that," he stated.

“I knew about his talent for a long time, even in karting.

"I think we made the right decisions in the beginning of his career, and I must say, now it’s up to him what he does.

“I must say I’m just very happy about how strong he is and the way he works. The credit is definitely for Max.”

Verstappen has picked up 407 points so far, nearly double the amount of second-placed Sergio Perez.

Perez has 223 points to his name, with Lewis Hamilton in third with 194.

Verstappen's road to glory started back in March when he triumphed in Bahrain.

​Perez clinched victories in Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan but Verstappen won 10 races in a row to all but wrap up the season.

Given it's the 26-year-old's third successive win, some would forgive the novelty wearing off.

But Verstappen has made it clear this was a victory to remember and it's his favourite title triumph of his career so far.

“This one is the best one,” he said.

“The first one was the most emotional one, that is when your dreams are fulfilled in F1 but this one has been my best year.

"The consecutive wins, the car has been in the best shape. This one I’m the most proud of.”

And Verstappen is also delighted to have matched the tally of titles achieved by past greats such as Ayrton Senna, Jack Brabham, Sir Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda and Nelson Piquet.

“It’s something I never thought was possible, to be in that list,” he said.

“When you see those names it’s incredible what these people have achieved and now you are alongside them, it’s an amazing feeling.”

Red Bull chief Christian Horner, meanwhile, has hailed Verstappen and believes he is an 'exceptional talent' capable of dominating for many years to come.

“He doesn't leave anything on the table,” said Horner. “He wants it all. And that drives and motivates the team internally.

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“I think he is relentless in his pursuit of performance. He doesn't want to just win: he wants to dominate.

“You see that in any great sportsman. Their pursuit of excellence and pursuit and not just wanting to be first, but certainly dominate, is again a hallmark what makes him such an exceptional talent.”

Horner continued: “I think generally he always had the speed from the very moment he sat in the car, and I think that he now couples that with experience.

“He arrived in F1 as quite a rough diamond, but now is a very polished diamond.

"I think that he's maintained all those raw attributes that he had, but now brings experience and couples that with that.

“Some of the races he's driven this year have been so great that it's exceeded all our expectations.