Max Verstappen took on 100 go-kart drivers in a race at Silverstone. What followed was brilliant chaos

Max Verstappen carved through the entire field from 101st and last place to secure his first victory of the year at the ‘Max vs 100’ go-kart race at Silverstone.

The four-time Formula One world champion defeated a field made up of content creators, fans and athletes, all driving in equal karting machinery, to complete 14-lap challenge with 40 minutes still allowed.

“That was simply lovely,” said Verstappen after passing pole-sitter, Dutch journalist Jacky Martens, to seal the victory.

Pre-race algorithms had predicted that Verstappen, without an F1 victory so far this year, would require one hour to pass his 100 competitors.

However, a chaotic start saw the Dutch driver finish the opening lap already up in 36th position.

A full-course yellow following a multi-kart pile-up initially slowed his progress, but by the start of lap four he had eliminated 75 rivals to reach 25th.

Just two laps later, Verstappen had climbed into the top 10.

Verstappen’s rivals ahead were allowed a so-called ‘Chucky lap’ which allowed them to cut the corner and increase their advantage on three occasions.

Verstappen told Zak Brown towards the end of last season: “Call me Chucky” after the McLaren CEO compared him to a horror movie villain who “keeps coming back” in his bid to, unsuccessfully in the end, stop Lando Norris from landing his maiden world title.

The ‘cheat’ lap allowed the top-three to delay the inevitable but Verstappen passed Martens on the 14th lap to take the win with just 35 minutes on the clock.

Speaking prior to the Red Bull stunt, Verstappen said it would be “a bit embarrassing” if he failed to land the win.

“I thought my first lap would be a disaster but I got helped out by people being super-excited and crashing,” said the 28-year-old, who recently committed his future to Red Bull through to 2030.

Verstappen has won 71 times in F1 – only Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher have won more races – but when asked where his exhibition victory ranks, he replied with a smile: “This is one of the best ones yet.

“The first lap was insane and I got a bit lucky there. It is nice when you are catching, I felt good, I was moving forward and I was passing karts at all different parts of the track.

“I didn’t know what to expect but it came back to me naturally. It was very, fun and very chaotic. It is my first win of the year, so I will take this one.”