Australian teenager Oscar Piastri has secured the 2020 Formula 3 championship, capping an impressive maiden campaign for the 19-year-old.

Piastri made the most of teammate and main championship rival Logan Sargeant crashing out early in the season finale at Mugello in Italy on Sunday to claim the title.

Sargeant had come into the race level on 160 points with Piastri but the American was an early casualty in the 21-lap race.

That meant Piastri’s seventh-place finish allowed him to claim the title by four points from France’s Theo Pourchaire, whose third-place wasn’t enough to close the gap to the Melbourne product.

Ex-Formula 1 driver and Piastri’s mentor Mark Webber was trackside to congratulate the new champion.

“I’ve been quite consistent over the year and I think also the way I’ve bounced back from those setbacks we’ve had,” Piastri said.

“We’ve had quite a few technical issues and other problems to deal with. So, I think my consistency and keeping my head cool has been been the biggest thing.”

Piastri also offered commiserations to Sargeant post-race, knowing his teammate’s misfortune had played a key role in his title success.

“The last few weeks have certainly put me to the test emotionally,” he said.

‘I just can’t really believe we just won that thing. Obviously, I feel really sorry for Logan. You never want to see that happen to your teammate and your title rival.”

Piastri’s title success will represent a huge step towards realising his own Formula 1 ambitions.