Max Verstappen made light work of a 100-driver challenge at Silverstone, needing only 14 laps and 35 minutes to pass the entire field in a specially organised karting exhibition.
The four-time Formula 1 world champion had been given a maximum of 35 laps and 75 minutes to catch and overtake every competitor on an adapted karting layout at the Northamptonshire circuit.
Starting behind all 100 amateur drivers, Verstappen rapidly moved through the pack. A chaotic opening lap featured several spins and crashes, briefly forcing the event to be halted, but the Red Bull driver had already climbed to 37th place by the end of it.
Once racing resumed, Verstappen continued to make steady progress. He reached the top 10 by the beginning of lap six and was up to fourth place by lap 10. Under the event’s rules, every driver he passed was required to leave the race.
The field was made up of personalities from television, sport and social media, with professional racing drivers excluded from taking part.
By the closing stages, only Dutch Formula 1 journalist Jacky Martens, Red Bull engine builder Lewis Osler and YouTuber Zac Alsop remained ahead of Verstappen.
The trio were each allowed a special fast lap that permitted them to cut a corner in an attempt to extend their advantage. The extra assistance only delayed the inevitable, however, as Verstappen quickly closed the remaining gap.
Martens, who had secured pole position in qualifying, became the final competitor to be caught. Verstappen completed the task with 21 laps and around 40 minutes still remaining from his original allowance.
The event also marked a return to the discipline where Verstappen developed his racing skills before reaching Formula 1. He spent much of his junior career competing in karting before moving into single-seaters and eventually making his F1 debut.
Verstappen later won four consecutive Formula 1 drivers’ championships between 2021 and 2024.
His dominant Silverstone performance offered a much more relaxed version of competition than a grand prix weekend, but the result was familiar. After starting last behind a field of 100, Verstappen still ended the day in front.