MUST-SEE: Perez, Ocon and Hulkenberg crash out in Qatar Sprint to hand Verstappen his third title

There were dramatic scenes at the Qatar Sprint, as Esteban Ocon, Sergio Perez, and Nico Hulkenberg were involved in a three-car collision that brought out the Safety Car and sent all three out of the event – inadvertently handing Max Verstappen his third world title.

As the three drivers made their way down to Turn 2 side-by-side, Ocon hit the front wing of Hulkenberg’s car. This sent the Alpine driver spinning and straight into the side of the Red Bull of Perez – sending Ocon and Perez into the gravel.

SPRINT START: Watch the action-packed opening lap in the Qatar Sprint as Piastri leads the way

Hulkenberg was able to continue on from the incident, but the damage proved too severe as he made his way back into the pit lane to retire his car.

At the front, Verstappen now in third after dropping down to fifth at the start was all but confirmed as champion, with his team mate, Perez now out of the race, and unable to score points.

He would go on to finish in second in the Sprint, with Oscar Piastri taking the win.

Click on the video player above to watch the three drivers collide at the Sprint.