Next week, Silverstone will host a very different kind of racing spectacle. Max Verstappen is set to take on 100 go-karters in a 30-lap challenge around the iconic circuit, starting from the back of the grid and attempting to pass the entire field.
Key Highlights:
- Max Verstappen admits he has done zero preparation for his upcoming Silverstone go-kart challenge.
- The four-time F1 champion will start at the back and attempt to overtake 100 go-karters in 30 laps.
- Charles Leclerc warned Verstappen to be careful around the huge field, joking that he should avoid being taken out by the other drivers.
- Carlos Sainz believes Verstappen could reach the front within 15-20 laps, depending on how much overtaking is possible.
The Ultimate Go-Kart Gauntlet Awaits
The competitors will include athletes, streamers, content creators, personalities and fans, creating a packed field for the four-time Formula 1 world champion to navigate.
The challenge sounds straightforward on paper: start last, overtake as many drivers as possible and try to reach the front within 30 laps. But with 100 karts sharing the circuit, traffic and overtaking could make the task considerably more complicated.
Verstappen's Unflappable "No Prep" Mindset
Speaking to the media ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid, Verstappen revealed that he has done virtually nothing to prepare for the unusual challenge.
Asked whether he had researched the competitors he would be facing, the Red Bull driver admitted he had not.
"No, I didn't do anything," Verstappen said. "I'll just rock up and have a good time, to be honest. Let's see how it goes."
Even Verstappen does not yet know exactly what awaits him, admitting that he is still unfamiliar with the format of the event. For a driver accustomed to meticulously preparing for every F1 session, the relaxed approach makes the challenge even more intriguing.
"Starting from the back, it's going to be challenging, but I hope I can catch them all," he added. "But we don't know yet. I don't even know the format at the moment. So I will just rock up and do my thing."
Leclerc's Warning: Don't Take Out Max
Verstappen's F1 rivals are already paying attention to the unusual event, with Charles Leclerc offering a tongue-in-cheek warning ahead of the challenge.
The Ferrari driver acknowledged that taking on 100 competitors would be a serious task, but his biggest concern was not whether Verstappen could overtake them all. His advice was simple: Verstappen should avoid getting involved in an incident with the other drivers, while the other competitors should be careful around him.
"I think it will be fun," Leclerc added, while acknowledging that racing against one of the world's best drivers would give the other competitors a difficult challenge.
Sainz Predicts a Quick Verstappen Charge
Carlos Sainz was even more confident about Verstappen's chances of reaching the front. The Williams driver had taken part in a reverse-grid karting race himself shortly before speaking in Madrid.
Starting 20th, Sainz said he had managed to reach first place within five laps. Using that as a rough calculation, he predicted Verstappen could make similarly rapid progress through the enormous field.
"By my calculations, if there are another 20 times five, in 20 laps Max will be P1 for sure," Sainz joked.
Sainz ultimately estimated that Verstappen could reach the front within 15-20 laps, although he acknowledged that much would depend on how easy it is to overtake in such a crowded race.
Can Verstappen Overtake All 100?
The biggest unknown is how the sheer size of the field will affect the race. Verstappen has spent years mastering wheel-to-wheel battles at the highest level, but overtaking 100 karts in only 30 laps presents a completely different challenge.
Starting from the rear means Verstappen will have to find a way through the pack quickly without getting caught in traffic or incidents. With so many drivers on track, every overtake could also create another opportunity — or another obstacle.
Verstappen himself isn't making any bold predictions. With no preparation, no confirmed format and a huge field standing between him and the front, the Dutchman is simply turning up to see what happens. And if Sainz's prediction proves correct, Verstappen could have the entire 100-kart field behind him before the chequered flag falls.
