Red Bull confirms Verstappen participation in 100-kart challenge at Silverstone

Key takeaways

• Verstappen takes on 100 drivers: Max Verstappen will attempt to overtake 100 competitors starting from last place in a unique karting challenge at Silverstone on September 16.
• Celebrity and creator grid: The event, titled ‘Max vs 100’, features a field made up of content creators, celebrities, fans, and Red Bull athletes.
• Global broadcast on Disney+: The event will stream globally with real-time telemetry, drone tracking, inspired gaming graphics, and live driver radio.

Red Bull announced on Tuesday (25) that Max Verstappen will participate in a special karting event at Silverstone on September 16. Organized as part of a promotional campaign by the energy drink brand, the event challenges the four-time World Champion to start from the rear of the grid and overtake 100 drivers to claim victory.

Karting plays a fundamental role in motorsport development, serving as the starting ground for top-tier professionals. Verstappen began his racing career in karts at age four, dominating championships across Belgium and the Netherlands before transitioning to international single-seaters and eventually Formula 1.

Dubbed ‘Max vs 100’, the race features Verstappen lining up in 101st position. Rather than competing against professional drivers, his opponents will consist of content creators, celebrities, fans, and fellow Red Bull-sponsored athletes.

“In karting, you learn all the fundamentals: starts, defending position, and overtaking. I spent a huge part of my life in karts, so it’s always great to go back. Having raced karts for so many years, you pick up the rhythm naturally. I’m just looking forward to seeing the chaos unfold ahead of me,” Verstappen said.idade possível, já que ele não quer deixar os líderes se distanciarem”, disse Terrien.

The temporary layout at Silverstone was custom-built for the event by French kart designer and former World Karting Champion David Terrien.

“Designing a track for 100 drivers is unprecedented, making this extremely exciting. Having Max Verstappen chasing everyone—I think it will be the experience of a lifetime for all involved. We will see Max showcase his ability to read traffic, plan overtakes, and slice through the pack as quickly as possible so the leaders don’t pull away,” Terrien noted.

The event will stream globally via Disney+. To enhance viewer engagement, the broadcast will incorporate racing game-style graphics, drone-captured footage, real-time telemetry overlays, and two-way radio communication allowing Verstappen to talk directly with his rivals on track.

The announcement comes as Lando Norris avoids excitement despite his recent form and McLaren identifies Monza performance as key to its 2026 battle against Mercedes. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton took responsibility for heated radio messages following a chaotic weekend in Zandvoort.

Formula 1 returns from September 4–6 at Monza for the Italian Grand Prix, the 13th round of the 2026 season. GRANDE PRÊMIO provides full live coverage of all track action. Follow all updates on our news page.

World Championship Standings (Top 5 after Dutch GP)

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

1. When and where will the ‘Max vs 100’ karting event take place?

The event will take place on September 16, 2026, at a specially constructed kart circuit in Silverstone, United Kingdom.

2. Who will Max Verstappen be racing against in the event?

Verstappen will compete against 100 drivers, including content creators, celebrities, motorsport fans, and Red Bull-sponsored athletes.

3. Where can fans watch the ‘Max vs 100’ karting race?

The event will be broadcast globally via the Disney+ streaming service featuring live telemetry, driver radio feeds, and drone footage.