Red Bull Motorsports
Karting
Max Verstappen skipped practice for the Max vs 100 go-kart challenge
Before taking on 100 drivers at Silverstone, Max Verstappen said his years of karting experience meant he didn’t need extra practice. Then he put that confidence to the test.
Before taking on 100 drivers at Silverstone in the Max vs 100 challenge, Max Verstappen made it clear he didn’t think he needed extra practice. The four-time Formula One world champion said his childhood spent racing karts had given him enough experience to quickly adapt to the track and the kart.
“I’ve driven from when I was four years old until about 15 in go-karts, so for me there's no excuse to say ‘oh, I need more practice’ or ‘I need more time,’” Verstappen said ahead of the challenge. “When I get there, it's just learning the track itself, getting comfortable with the grip of the karts, and that's it. Not much more I can do, but for sure I know that some of them will be very fast as well.”
Max Verstappen started at the back of the grid in Max vs 100
© Joerg Mitter/Red Bull Content Pool
He backed that up at Silverstone. Verstappen completed just two laps during his short track familiarisation session, and his first flying lap was already around three seconds faster than the quickest amateur qualifying time.
In Max vs 100, all 101 drivers raced identical karts, while the challengers' starting positions were decided by a single flying lap in qualifying. Verstappen started from the very back of the grid in P101.
Who could stay ahead of Verstappen in Max vs 100?
Every driver Verstappen overtook was eliminated, with the field shrinking as the race unfolded. For the 100 challengers, the goal was simple: stay ahead of one of the world’s best drivers for as long as possible.
“It's going to be quite hectic – trying to race 100 people will be very tough,” Verstappen said before the event. “I haven't driven a lot of go-karting over the last few years, naturally, because of F1 and my GT racing. It's always fun to go back and have a good time.”
There hasn't been much room for karting in Verstappen's busy schedule
© Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool
I haven't driven a lot of go-karting over the last few years… It's always fun to go back
The challengers also had one advantage: a fast lap. Each could use a shortcut during the opening half of the race to regain ground when Verstappen closed in. Verstappen had a shortcut of his own, but it was locked until half distance, giving the field the first 15 laps to make the most of their advantage.
How Verstappen catched them all?
© 3MPG/Red Bull Content Pool
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How to watch Max vs 100 again
Verstappen carved his way through a tightly packed field
© Joerg Mitter/Red Bull Content Pool
Red Bull’s Max vs 100 is available to watch again on Disney+ globally and on the ESPN App for ESPN Unlimited subscribers in the US. Catch the highlights as Max Verstappen starts from P101 behind 100 amateur kart racers at Silverstone and tries to work his way through the field.
