Max Verstappen versus 100 challengers: Here’s how the kart race works

21 opponents, just like on a Formula 1 circuit, weren’t enough for him – this Wednesday evening, Max Verstappen is out to prove himself. The Red Bull Racing driver will compete against 100 other drivers on a karting circuit at Silverstone on 16 September from 7.00 pm Central European Time.

The special challenge: Max Verstappen will start right at the back. He must overtake all 100 competitors. Anyone overtaken by the four-time world champion is out of the race. So Verstappen must fight his way to the front. He has 30 laps to do so.

The karts are all identical. But being lightweight offers no advantage! That’s because the minimum weight is 85 kilograms. Anyone lighter than that will have weights added to their kart. The kart circuit was designed by Frenchman David Terrien, who is also the race director.

100 challengers for Verstappen

Among Verstappen’s challengers are, for example, ultra-runner Arda Saatci and track and field athlete Leo Neugebauer. Each driver is given a fast lap with a shortcut. The challengers may use it in the first half of the race, whilst Verstappen may use it in the second. Incidentally, the challengers received tips in the run-up to the race from Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad.

Back to his roots

Verstappen: “I drove karts from the age of four to fifteen, so this is a lovely opportunity to go back to my roots and remind myself how I got into this sport in the first place.”

Topic of the week

Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madring: track – hit or miss?

The people of Madrid had set their sights high for their city’s first Formula 1 World Championship race since 1981. But have the high expectations for the new Madring mixed-circuit track really been met?

Mathias Brunner

Read More

TV Program

Live

Baku: 1. Freies Training

FIA Formula One World Championship

24.09.2026 - 10:15

Normally, Verstappen only competes against 21 other drivers, but this time he’ll have to hold his own against a full 100 rivals – and work his way up from the back of the field. Verstappen: “When we arrive at the circuit, it’ll be all about getting to know the track itself and developing a feel for the kart’s grip. I think I’ll naturally get back into the rhythm, but it’s good to know that I have the support of the data simulations we were able to gather from the qualifying sessions.”

Verstappen hasn’t been in a kart for a long time

And how does the Red Bull Racing driver assess the competition? Verstappen: “I know some of them will be very fast, and I think everyone there will be pretty competitive. So it’s going to be quite interesting and very hectic to watch the chaos unfold before my eyes. Competing against around 100 entrants will be very tough and will require patience to work my way through the field as quickly as possible. I’m looking forward to it, and of course this is something only Red Bull would do. I haven’t driven a go-kart for a few years now, so it’ll be fun to get back into it and see how I get on – but there are loads of people to overtake, so we’ll see!”

The pre-show starts at 6 pm Central European Time, with the race kicking off at 7 pm our time. It will be broadcast on Disney+ and ESPN.