Max Verstappen expressed surprise regarding the extent of damage sustained by an opponent’s kart during the ‘Max vs. 100’ challenge held at Silverstone last Wednesday, September 16, 2026. The Red Bull Racing driver successfully navigated the event, which required him to overtake 100 karters within a 75-minute timeframe. The opening phase of the challenge was marked by considerable chaos on the specially designed layout.
Verstappen emerged from the initial scramble unscathed, having opted to cut a section of the track to avoid a multi-kart incident. However, not all participants were as fortunate in the chaotic moments following the first corner. Red Bull junior driver Nikola Tsolov later informed Verstappen about the significant damage observed on one of the competitor’s karts.
Tsolov detailed the state of the damaged kart to Verstappen in a post-event discussion. He reported that one of the karts returned with brake fluid covering various parts of the machine. Tsolov described the kart as ‘completely broken’ to the four-time Formula 1 World Champion.
‘One of the karts came back and had brake fluid everywhere. That kart was really completely broken, mate,’ Tsolov stated in a Red Bull video.
Verstappen’s immediate reaction to this information was one of clear astonishment. He responded with ‘Really?’, visibly taken aback by the severity of the damage described. Tsolov further confirmed the extent of the destruction, noting that ‘the chassis, the brake fluid, it was all gone.’
The ‘Max vs. 100’ event, organised by Red Bull, saw Verstappen demonstrate his karting prowess by quickly moving through the field. He passed approximately twenty participants in the initial meters, showcasing his superior pace compared to the other challengers. The incident involving the damaged kart occurred amidst this early race congestion.
Verstappen’s ability to avoid contact in the opening chaos was crucial to his successful completion of the challenge. The event highlighted both his driving skill and the inherent risks involved in multi-competitor karting, particularly in a format designed for high-intensity action.
