Max Verstappen has reacted after securing victory in the Max vs 100 kart race, describing the first lap as “carnage” as he battled through 100 go karts.
Verstappen spoke of his trepidation in the build-up to the exhibition race, which saw him attempt to beat 100 go-kart drivers in 30 laps at a live streamed event at Silverstone.
The first lap proved highly eventful, yet fruitful for the four-time Formula 1 world champion, as he climbed to 37th place as drivers either crashed out or spun.
From there, he took him just 14 laps to pass the remainder of the field to take victory, in an emphatic display of driver skill.
After the race, Verstappen admitted he doubted his ability to win the race, revealing he was “worried” when presented with the 100 drivers sat in front of him.
“When I went to the grid and I saw where I had to start, with 100 karts in front of me, I was a little bit worried,” he said.
“After my first lap with all the carnage, I did think, “Okay we have got this under control”! It started to become really fun and once I started getting into a rhythm and was able to overtake them one by one and saw the gap closing, that was really exciting.
“It was great to just be in a go-kart again and go back to basics, it reminded me of racing back in the day. It’s a really beautiful track and well designed and it was a nice touch to be able to get all the data fed through the radio too.
“I had a great day and it was good to come out with the win!”
Admiration for Max Verstappen
Track designer and race director David Terrien praised Verstappen’s skills, highlighting the Dutchman’s reaction time as the critical factor behind his success.
“Going through the traffic of such a big field, no one has done it. There’s never been a karting race with so many karts.
“So even Max was questioning himself just before the start, how he could go through the traffic. When you look at the replay, he picked the right spots. Every time there was a gap, he went for it. He was on the right side of the track when there was a crash going on the other side.
“We gave them more fast laps to allow them to compete and stay in the game longer. But he was just much faster. I think that’s what makes the difference with Max – his starts, and his reaction time. Even if it’s a fun race, he showed his skills in all aspects.
“I was talking to Max’s race engineer and we were looking at the replay of the start. Max sees something we don’t see. He sees a gap that’s going to open and it’s not open yet.
“So I think that’s a race vision, that’s something he has that most of the drivers don’t have.”
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