AssetID: 56028588
Headline: Max Verstappen wins 'biggest ever go kart race' by beating 100 rivals from back of the grid
Caption: **VIDEO AVAILABLE: CONTACT INFO@COVERMG.COM TO RECEIVE** BY MARK WORGAN Max Verstappen overtook all 100 of his challengers in Red Bull's Max vs 100 race on Wednesday (16September2026), billed as the largest go-kart race ever staged. The four-time Formula 1 world champion started 101st on a grid specially built for the event at Silverstone, but completed the challenge on lap 14 of 30. Verstappen cleared the entire field in 35 minutes, with the race broadcast live globally on Disney+ and the ESPN App. "When I went to the grid and I saw where I had to start, with 100 karts in front of me, I was a little bit worried," Max said. "After my first lap, with all the carnage, I did think 'Okay, we have got this under control!' It started to become really fun and once I started getting into a rhythm, was able to overtake them one-by-one and saw the gap closing, that was really exciting. "It was great to just be back in a go-kart again and go back to basics, it reminded me of racing back in the day. It's a really beautiful track and well designed, and it was a nice touch to be able to get all the data fed through the radio too. I had a great day and it was good to come out with the win!" The scale of the event was clear as soon as the grid formed. Viewed from above, 101 karts stretched along the Silverstone asphalt in rows, with Verstappen at the very back. Ahead of him were Red Bull athletes, players, content creators, streamers, journalists and fans from around the world. Most were driving the circuit for only the second time, following Tuesday's practice and a single qualifying lap earlier in the day. The opening lap proved decisive. With 101 karts funneling into the first corners, Verstappen passed more than 10 drivers before reaching the start-finish line. At the hairpin, the field concertinaed, with karts colliding and some left facing the wrong way. "I have no idea what's going on – it's carnage," Verstappen said over the radio. Two minutes into the race, he was up to 37th. Sixty-three drivers had been eliminated without completing a lap - more than half the field. When that figure was relayed to Verstappen, he replied: "Not a bad first lap then!" Under the rules, a driver was eliminated as soon as the rear of Verstappen's kart drew level with the front of theirs, meaning every overtake was final. The onboard microphones captured the challengers coming to terms with that rule one by one. Pole-sitter Jacky Martens, YouTuber Zac Alsop and Red Bull Ford Powertrains technician Lewis Osler built a lead of about 12 seconds while the chaos unfolded behind them. But Verstappen was soon taking three seconds a lap out of their advantage. With 54 minutes still on the clock, the race director gave the leading group an additional fast lap. The three leaders used their shortcuts together on lap 12 before switching from racing each other to driving defensively. On the following lap, Verstappen arrived, passing Alsop and Osler in one corner before overtaking Martens to complete the challenge with 35 minutes still remaining on the clock. Martens, a Dutch Formula 1 journalist, had led for much of the race. He and Osler joined Verstappen on the podium, with the champion's own team technician finishing one place below him. Behind Alsop in fourth, renowned off-road motorcyclist Pol Tarrés was fifth. Livestreamer RDJavi, photographer Larry Chen, mountain biker Bernard Kerr and actor Neo Yau completed the top 10. Onboard cameras and microphones were fitted to every kart, allowing Verstappen's exchanges with his challengers to be broadcast live on Disney+, presented by BAFTA Award-winning comedian Mo Gilligan. Verstappen's fastest lap was 2m 20.673s, while Martens's best was 2m 23.327s - more than 2.6 seconds slower. Jacky, added: "I tried to stay out of the chaos at the beginning of the race, and luckily enough, three or four of us managed to pull away. You think if we're gonna tussle in the beginning of the race, he will catch us within a minute. So we tried to collaborate a little bit, but as soon as Max catches you guys, it's all for one. We all fought to be there as long as possible.” Over the 35-minute race, Verstappen overtook a driver every 21 seconds on average. The circuit was designed by race director and track designer David Terrien specifically to accommodate a 100-kart field. It was laid out on a temporary configuration at Silverstone for the event. Asked during his victory lap where the win ranked among his other successes, Verstappen replied with a grin: "I think this is the best one yet!" Red Bull's Max vs 100 is available to watch again on Disney+.
Keywords: feature,max verstappen,red bul,f1,formula 1,go karting
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