Max Verstappen wins 'Max vs 100' go-kart race at Silverstone, starting from last place against 100 rivals

From the Newshound archive · first published 19 September 2026.

Four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen beat a field of 100 amateur go-kart drivers at Silverstone, having started dead last in 101st position. He worked through every competitor in just 14 laps and 35 minutes, passing 63 of them before they had even completed a lap. Verstappen averaged one overtake every 21 seconds in what Formula 1 itself called the 'biggest race' of his motorsport career.

Verstappen radioed his team mid-race: 'I have no idea what's going on — it's carnage.'

The 100 drivers were Red Bull athletes, content creators and fans, most of whom had put in practice laps around Silverstone ahead of the event.

Verstappen, who first raced karts at age four, has won four consecutive F1 titles between 2021 and 2024.