Max Verstappen Challenges 100 Kart Drivers: 'Am I Allowed to Shunt Them?'

Four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen will take on 100 kart drivers in a unique entertainment event titled 'Max vs 100', streaming on Disney+ from September 16. The event features Verstappen starting from the back of a 100-kart grid on a bespoke track at Silverstone, designed by 2026 karting world champion David Terrien. A highlight from pre-event interviews is Verstappen's playful question to Red Bull: 'Am I allowed to shunt them?' The team responded: 'No, ideally not.' The exchange went viral on Reddit, where fans joked that it was 'frowned upon but not prohibited' and referenced Verstappen's 2026 Silverstone clash with Charles Leclerc (the 'inchident'). The event includes content creators, athletes, streamers, and grassroots racers, hosted by British comedian Mo Gilligan with live radio coverage. Verstappen, who began his career in karting, said: 'Karting teaches you all the fundamentals. The instincts naturally kick back in.' Terrien noted that designing a track for 100 simultaneous karts is unprecedented, and Verstappen will need exceptional traffic management and pace. The event is seen as both entertainment and a brand expansion move for Verstappen, leveraging the 'Netflix effect' on F1 content. Fan reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with deep cultural references to Verstappen's racing history.