Four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen lined up at Silverstone on Wednesday evening for the extraordinary ‘Max vs 100’ karting challenge.
The 28-year-old Dutchman started from P101 on a grid of 101 identical karts, tasked with overtaking every single competitor across 30 laps.
Every driver Verstappen passes is eliminated from the race, meaning the field shrinks steadily as the challenge unfolds around the iconic British Grand Prix venue.
The 100 challengers included streamers, athletes, celebrities, influencers and fans drawn from across the globe, making for one of the most unusual grids ever assembled.
Among the notable names was pole-sitter Jacky Martens, a Dutch journalist who qualified fastest earlier in the day to earn the front row starting spot.
Red Bull trail riding star Pol Tarres of Spain lined up alongside Martens on the front row, while Spanish YouTuber TheGrefg started from fourth position.
ESPN F1 journalist Nate Saunders also featured on the start list, adding a media angle to the eclectic mix of competitors taking on Verstappen.
Each of the 100 challengers was given one fast lap shortcut to use during the opening half of the race, available before lap 16, to help delay Verstappen’s charge through the field.
Verstappen himself had access to his own shortcut, but it was locked away until the second half of the race, specifically from lap 16 onwards, giving rivals an early advantage.
Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad had previously taken on the role of Verstappen in a mock race, attempting to pass all 100 rivals, but was unable to complete the task.
Ahead of the race, Verstappen made clear he was treating the challenge with full respect, acknowledging some of his rivals would be quick on the kart track.
Verstappen said: “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.'”
He added: “When I get there, it’s just learning the track itself, getting comfortable with the grip of the karts, and that’s it.”
Verstappen also admitted: “Not much more I can do, but for sure I know that some of them will be very fast as well.”
With lights out approaching, Verstappen had a message for pole-sitter Martens, saying simply: “I’m coming for you,” while also predicting “a little bit of carnage” once the race got underway.
The event was broadcast live globally via Disney+ and the ESPN app, with the full 30-lap race available to stream for fans around the world.