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Max Verstappen to face 100 rivals in massive Silverstone karting event
The four-time Formula 1 champion will swap his grand prix machine for a kart to compete against a massive field of athletes, streamers, and fans.
By Michael de Vries - 2026-08-25T15:10:00.000Z - 2 min read
Max Verstappen is stepping away from the Formula 1 grid to tackle a uniquely crowded karting challenge at Silverstone. The Red Bull Racing driver will face an immense field of one hundred opponents on a specially constructed circuit.
Rather than professional racing drivers, the grid will feature a varied mix of Red Bull athletes, online streamers, content creators, and everyday fans selected from across the globe. Among the notable non-motorsport athletes confirmed to participate are ultrarunner Arda Saatçi, basketball shooting specialist Chris Matthews, and British freestyle mountain biker Matt Jones.
The sheer scale of the event demanded novel engineering. Race Director and French racing driver David Terrien was tasked with designing a purpose-built layout capable of accommodating 101 karts simultaneously on the circuit.
Reflecting on his roots, Verstappen emphasized the foundational value of the discipline. In go-karts you learn all the basics, noting that starts, defending, and overtaking are all honed at that level. Having spent a significant portion of his life in karting, the Red Bull driver noted that it feels natural to return to the machinery and understand its grip limits once again.
Terrien highlighted the unprecedented nature of the logistical setup. Creating a track for 101 drivers at the same time has never been done and never been seen before, adding that having Verstappen hunt down the rest of the field will offer an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.
Navigating a hundred rivals will present a severe spatial puzzle, potentially creating traffic conditions even more congested than a grand prix weekend. Verstappen will need to scan through the dense pack, anticipate gaps, and plan his overtaking maneuvers to prevent the leaders from pulling away.
The one-off spectacle is scheduled for September 16, falling squarely in the calendar break between the Spanish and Azerbaijan grands prix. Fans wishing to watch the unique contest will be able to stream the action live around the world on Disney+, as well as via the ESPN App for ESMP Unlimited subscribers in the United States.