Four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen needed just 14 laps and 35 minutes to overtake 100 amateur drivers during an exhibition go-kart race at Silverstone, completing the challenge with 40 minutes and 21 laps to spare.
Max Verstappen returned to his karting roots at the grand prix circuit in Northamptonshire to face 100 rivals made up of content creators, Red Bull athletes, fans and journalists in a unique exhibition event. Billed as the world’s biggest go-kart race, the challenge required the 28-year-old Red Bull driver to start from the very back of the field and pick his way through the pack.
Silverstone Exhibition Track and Chaotic First Lap
The adapted track at Silverstone set the stage for immediate drama as the field surged forward. Verstappen quickly gained ground, reaching 37th position by the end of a chaotic first lap in which many drivers crashed or span out, causing a brief suspension of the race. The Dutchman had issued a stern warning over team radio before the start, telling participants it’s not a charity event
.
Ahead of the event, Verstappen admitted that failing to defeat the amateur field would be quite embarrassing
. Speaking to reporters about his approach to the grid, he noted that he needed to understand the relative pace of the drivers while relying on his foundational experience.
“I’m hoping that with my background, I should be faster than most. I hope! I mean, it would be quite embarrassing if they’re faster than me!”
Max Verstappen, Red Bull driver, via crash.net
The 28-year-old Dutchman told ESPN, A hundred is a lot, you know, but I think how they've set up the track from what they've shown me, I think it will be good. But it's still going to be hectic, for sure.
Asked about how he will approach the race, Verstappen replied: I think I first need to understand and see the level between drivers. I also don't like to overthink the situation. I just need to go with the flow and try to make the best of it.
Climbing Through the Field Under Strict Elimination Rules
Under the rules of the exhibition, every amateur driver Verstappen successfully passed was eliminated and required to retire from the race. The four-time Formula 1 world champion steadily picked off his competitors, breaking into the top 10 by the start of lap six and advancing to fourth place by lap 10.
By the closing stages, the 100-kart field had been whittled down to just three remaining competitors: Dutch F1 journalist Jacky Martens, Red Bull engine builder Lewis Osler, and YouTuber Zac Alsop. To level the playing field, all three survivors were granted an extra fast lap that allowed them to cut a corner of the circuit in an effort to hold off the charging Red Bull driver.
Reeling in the Final Contenders
Despite the clever track-cutting advantage given to the final three participants, Verstappen reeled them in to conclude the challenge. Jacky Martens, who had started the event on pole position after qualifying, proved to be the final driver overtaken before the checkered flag dropped.
The four-time Formula 1 world champion finished the entire exhibition in just 14 laps and 35 minutes, leaving 21 laps and 40 minutes on the clock. The outing marked the first time Verstappen had driven a proper go-kart since 2016, reflecting on his early career path from the ages of four to fifteen years old before transitioning to larger GT machinery and single-seaters.
I don't miss it,
he said of karting. “Also with go-karting, because I’ve done it from when I was four years old until like 15, to go back now, your ribs are hurting. It’s very different in that sense. You can get arm pump and stuff in a shifter [kart], and I just feel like I enjoy more just being on a big track with a GT car.”
