Four-time Formula One world champion Max Verstappen claimed what he jokingly called his "first win of the season" on Wednesday evening, beating a field of 100 go-karters at Silverstone, the historic British racing circuit in Northamptonshire, England, in a televised promotional event organised by his employer Red Bull.
Starting from the very back of a 101-kart grid, Verstappen had one hour to work his way through the entire field. He needed only 35 minutes and 14 laps to do it. After just one lap he had already climbed to 39th place, and within a few minutes he had broken into the top ten. The final karter he passed was Jacky Martens, a Dutch Formula One correspondent for regional newspaper De Limburger, who had been the fastest in qualifying and had started from pole position. In total, Verstappen needed roughly 20 minutes to clear the entire field once he had found his rhythm.
The event was broadcast live by several major international media partners. The field was made up not of professional racing drivers but of influencers, TV presenters, and journalists — making the competitive bar considerably lower than a Formula One grid. That said, observers noted that Verstappen's ability to navigate a chaotic pack prone to frequent crashes, while maintaining consistent pace and spatial awareness, was genuinely impressive on its own terms.
The light-hearted occasion carried an undercurrent of real sporting context. Verstappen has endured a difficult 2026 Formula One season, having yet to win a race in the championship. An earlier result at the Nürburgring, a famous German circuit, had appeared to end his drought before a post-race disqualification was handed down. The previous weekend's Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid was described as a dull affair for him. Picking up his trophy after the Silverstone kart race, he laughed: "Great — my first win of the season." He also noted that it felt good to be back behind the wheel of a kart, the discipline in which he honed his skills as a young talent before graduating to single-seater racing.
The "Max vs 100" event was a marketing exercise, but it offered Verstappen — who turns 29 this year — a moment of uncomplicated fun and a reminder of his roots in a season that has so far brought more frustration than celebration.