Max Verstappen stormed through a field of 100 karters to win Max vs 100 in remarkable fashion as the four-time Formula 1 world champion made light work of the unique challenge at Silverstone.
Verstappen was given 30 laps, or 75 minutes, to overtake 100 drivers from the back of the grid in a go-kart race but only needed 13 laps, and 35 minutes, to add the latest win to his motorsport collection.
On a modified karting circuit at the home of F1 in the UK, Verstappen -- after starting 101st -- overtook 63 drivers on the very first lap, including ESPN’s Nate Saunders, who barely lasted 10 seconds. Drivers clashed, spun around and ultimately watched Verstappen sail past as the predicted carnage ensued on Lap 1, resulting in waved yellow flags.
After that, Verstappen continued to carve his way through the field at an alarming rate, while also speaking to the competitors -- made up of athletes, content creators, journalists and other celebrities -- along the way.
“I’m coming for you,” he said to a contestant at one stage. Later, he told commentators: “They need to focus because I’m definitely catching them.”
It took Verstappen 15 minutes to get up to P7, and while at that stage he was still 14 seconds behind the runaway top three -- journalist Jacky Martens, YouTuber Zac Alsop and Red Bull’s own Lewis Osler -- he quickly gained at a rate of around three seconds-a-lap.
The top three were given an extra ‘fast lap’ -- a shortcut of the circuit -- but that wasn’t enough to catch Verstappen and he completed the challenge in style on Lap 13.
“My first lap was quite incredible,” Verstappen said afterwards. “There was a lot happening and actually a few cars got stuck and I always managed to be on the other side, so didn’t get stuck.
“And that made me get like 60 people in the first lap. So that just helps a lot, getting through to the front.”
Asked where the win ranks in his victories, he said: “I think this is the best one yet!”
Saunders, meanwhile, was less positive post-race comments -- but nonetheless was impressed by the Dutchman.
“That was all a bit of a blur,” he said. “Shortly after the start I looked to my right and there was Max -- and then he was gone. The way he was able to zigzag through the crowd was crazy.”
The event was streamed live globally on ESPN on Disney+, while Verstappen will next be in action at F1’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The Red Bull star is sixth in the drivers’ championship.
