Max Verstappen versus 100 kart drivers: an unusual challenge at Silverstone

Dutch driver Max Verstappen is returning to his racing roots as he attempts to overtake 100 drivers in ‘Max vs 100’. At the Silverstone Circuit, one of the sport’s most legendary race tracks, Max will start from the back of the field and face the challenge of overtaking every single one of the 100 challengers in one of the biggest go-kart races the world has ever seen.

The exclusive, closed-circuit live broadcast, which will be shown live on Disney+ on 16 September, revolves around a single question: could you beat Max Verstappen if the odds were in your favour?

Like many Formula 1 champions, Max began go-kart racing at the age of just four on his journey to the top of the motorsport world, and started competing in championships from the age of seven.

After dominating in Belgium and the Netherlands, he secured a string of world and European championship titles, culminating in a spectacular 2013 season that soon catapulted him into the F1 ranks.

For Max, then, this is a return to his roots. Before the titles and records came the karts – the training ground where he developed the instincts and skills that have shaped his career.

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This time, Max isn’t competing against other drivers; instead, his 100 rivals come from all walks of life in sport and culture: from Red Bull athletes and celebrities to content creators, public figures and ordinary fans, all of whom have been invited from around the world.

Max Verstappen says: “In karting, you learn all the basics – starts, defending, overtaking. Of course, I’ve spent a large part of my life karting, so it’s always nice to go back to it. It’s all about understanding the kart’s grip. I’ve spent so many years karting that you naturally get back into the rhythm. I’m really looking forward to simply watching the chaos unfold before my eyes.”

The Silverstone circuit was designed specifically for this event by race director and French racing driver David Terrien, a renowned kart designer and junior karting world champion.

As Max usually races at the front of the field, this challenge will replicate the format that characterised his early career, as the sheer number of competitors means the outcome is anything but certain.

David Terrien: “Designing a track for 100 drivers at the same time is something that’s never been done before. So it’s very exciting. If Max Verstappen is chasing the whole field, I think it will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all the drivers. Max will have to demonstrate all his skills – he’ll be manoeuvring his way through the field, trying to prepare and plan where he can overtake, and driving through the field at the highest possible speed because he doesn’t want to let the drivers at the front pull away.”

In the run-up to race day, the layout was tested during a Kart Silverstone test session, with Terrien and test driver Sebastian Job out on the track.

Seb Job, two-time iRacing World Champion and sim racer with Oracle Red Bull Sim Racing: “I think overtaking 100 cars is going to be extremely difficult. Today we managed it with 50, and even that was a challenge to complete within the allotted time. Max has a huge task ahead of him.”

The race will bring fans closer to the action with game-inspired graphics and cinematic drone shots. Live race data and insights will be displayed on screen, allowing fans to follow every stage of the race as it happens. As a unique feature, Max will be able to communicate directly with his rivals during the race, giving fans an unrivalled insight into the conversations that help shape the course of the race.

Max Verstappen versus 100 drivers, on the starting grid. The whole world can watch the action live on Disney+ on 16 September 2026.