Max Verstappen needed just 14 laps and 35 minutes to overtake 100 amateur drivers in an exhibition kart race at Silverstone. The four-time Formula 1 world champion had a maximum of 35 laps and 75 minutes to overtake everyone on a track adapted from the Northamptonshire Grand Prix circuit. The ruthless Dutchman, who warned participants “it’s not a charity event” on the radio, moved into tenth place at the start of lap six and was in fourth place by lap 10, and every driver he passed had to retire. At that stage, the field – made up of television, sports and social media personalities, with no professional racing drivers – consisted of just Dutch F1 journalist Jacky Martens, Red Bull engine builder Lewis Osler and YouTuber Zac. Alsop. The three were given an extra ‘fast lap’ where they could cut a corner of the track to try to keep Verstappen at bay for longer, but he inevitably caught them. Martens, who was on pole position after qualifying, was the last driver to be overtaken as Verstappen completed his challenge with 40 minutes and 21 laps to spare. Verstappen began his racing career as a junior in karting and won four consecutive F1 titles between 2021 and 2024.
