Max Verstappen vs. 100 Kart Drivers: Today's Silverstone Challenge

Max Verstappen will take on 100 kart drivers at Silverstone today in a one-of-a-kind Red Bull challenge. The four-time Formula 1 world champion starts from the back of a 101-kart grid and has just 30 laps to overtake every single rival. The event, billed as the world's biggest kart race, streams live on Disney+ from 18:00 CET.

Why it matters:

It's a rare chance to see Verstappen outside F1, battling amateurs in identical machinery. The event showcases Red Bull's marketing power while giving fans a fun, unpredictable break from the usual Grand Prix routine.

The details:

• Schedule: Wednesday, September 16, at Silverstone. Coverage starts at 18:00 CET and lasts about two hours.
• How to watch: No TV broadcast in Germany; only via Disney+ with a paid subscription. Commentary from Tobias Schimon and GT3 driver Patricija Stalidzane.
• Format: Verstappen starts behind all 100 opponents. Each driver he passes is eliminated and must pit. All 101 karts are identical, with modifications forbidden.
• Fairness: Driver plus equipment must weigh at least 85 kg; ballast is added if needed.
• Opponents: A mix of fans, influencers, streamers, and athletes, including German decathlete Leo Neugebauer, ultramarathon runner Arda Saatçi, and e-sportsman Amar Al Naimi.
• Extra rules: In the first 15 laps, each rival can use a shortcut once to escape. Verstappen gets his own joker in the second half and can communicate with all 100 drivers via radio.

What's next:

Verstappen is a former kart world champion, so this is familiar ground — but 30 laps against 100 unpredictable opponents is a new kind of challenge. Expect chaos, bold overtakes, and plenty of entertainment as the Dutchman tries to pull off one of the most unusual victories of his career.