Max vs 100 preview
Four-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen is taking on an unusual challenge just two days after securing P2 at the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid. On Wednesday, the Red Bull star will swap his F1 car for a go-kart as he takes on 100 drivers in Max vs 100.
The rules are simple. Verstappen will start at the back of the 101-kart grid and have just 30 laps to overtake all 100 competitors. Every driver he passes is eliminated, meaning he can win before the full 30 laps are complete. Meanwhile, the other drivers each get one “fast lap” in the opening 15 laps, allowing them to take a shortcut and gain some ground. Verstappen also gets his own shortcut, but he can only use it during the final 15 laps.
The action takes place at Silverstone, although this won't be the familiar F1 circuit. A specially designed track has been built for the event by race director and former karting world champion David Terrien, who says creating a circuit for 101 drivers at once has “never been done, never been seen.”
Testing the layout, two-time iRacing World Champion Sebastian Job warned: “I think to overtake 100 cars is going to be extremely difficult. Today we did it with 50, and even that was a challenge to do it in the allotted time. He’s got his work cut out for him big time.”
And there's another twist: Verstappen will be able to communicate directly with the other drivers during the race, giving viewers an insight into his thinking – and potentially allowing us to hear exactly what he makes of those trying to hold him up. Verstappen himself has already said he's looking forward to “Just seeing the carnage unfold in front of me.”
Follow our guide below for where to watch Max vs 100 live stream, including FREE options.
Watch Max vs 100 |
Wednesday, 16 September |
US coverage |
ESPN via ESPN Select, Sling TV, YouTube TV, Fubo (FREE trials) |
UK & International Coverage |
|
WATCH ANYWHERE |
What time does Max vs 100 start?
Live coverage begins at 5pm BST, with the race getting underway at 6pm BST / 1pm ET. That's 3am AEST on Thursday, September 17.
How can I watch Max vs 100 for free?
There are no direct free streams for Max vs 100. However, since ESPN is showing the event in the US, viewers can watch the action for free by taking advantage of free trials from live TV streaming services that carry ESPN, including YouTube TV, Hulu+Live TV, Fubo, or DirecTV.
If you're from the US but are currently abroad and want to watch Max vs 100 live stream, you can simply use a VPN. More details below...
Watch Max vs 100 live stream from anywhere
You won't be able to watch your regular Max vs 100 live stream while traveling abroad. The streaming service will spot that you're in a foreign country and block you.
You can use a VPN (virtual private network) to get around this, though. It's a straightforward piece of software that sets your device to appear as if it's in a different country, allowing you to watch Max vs 100 live from anywhere in the world.
We rate NordVPN as one of the best VPN for streaming sport. It offers a generous 30-day guarantee for all your money back if you're not happy with the service.
Watch Max vs 100 live stream in the US
ESPN is providing full coverage of Max vs 100 in the US. The action will also stream live on the ESPN App for ESPN Unlimited subscribers, while ESPN2 will air a delayed broadcast later that day.
ESPN Unlimited prices start at $31.99 per month, or you can bundle it with Disney+ and Hulu for $35.99 per month.
ESPN is also available through a cord-cutting service, such as YouTube TV, Hulu+Live TV, Fubo, DirecTV (all featuring a free trial for new users) or Sling TV.
To access your usual streaming service from outside the US, you'll need to download a good VPN, as detailed above.
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Watch Max vs 100 live stream in the UK and worldwide
For the UK and elsewhere, including Canada and Australia, Max vs 100 will be available to stream live on Disney+.
Disney+ plans start from £4.99 per month in the UK, AU$9.99 per month in Australia, and CAD$8.99 per month in Canada.
Outside the UK during Max vs 100? Get NordVPN to access your usual stream no matter where you are in the world.
What do F1 drivers think about Max vs 100?
Multiple F1 drivers have voiced their excitement – and concern – about Verstappen taking on 100 rivals.
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc said: “Honestly, the only advice I'll give is maybe not to crash into Max, because he's got a season to finish. And for Max to be careful, because I don't know how professional those drivers are, but 100 drivers is quite a lot on a track, so I think it would be fun.”
Mercedes' George Russell said: “If you go full four abreast around the whole track he might be quite difficult to protect, so maybe a couple of drivers work as a team to try and block him.”
Haas' Oliver Bearman, who recently took part in a similar karting challenge with 50 drivers, said: “I don't think Max needs any advice. It's always a fun thing, but I remember it was a really cool idea on paper until I got into Turn 1 with 50 karts in front of me. And I was like, actually, this is really dangerous. But it turned out to be all good.”
Williams' Carlos Sainz said: “I did a karting race with my team and started 20th because we did reverse grid and I was P1 in five laps. So by my calculations, if there's another 20 times five, in 20 laps Max will be for sure P1. Fifteen, 20 laps, or who knows, depends how much overtaking there is. But he will win it easy.”
Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto said: “It depends on the level of the other drivers there. But I think there's a big chance of him winning. If I'm home doing nothing, I will turn on to have fun and watch it, for sure.”
Who are the Max vs 100 drivers?
Here are the drivers confirmed for Max vs 100 so far:
- Max Verstappen
- Aidan Heslop
- Amar Al Naimi
- Amber Gill
- André da Silva Montoito
- Arda Saatci
- Austin Sprinz
- Jonathan Balchin (AustrianKiwi)
- Bachala Mbunzama (Bash The Entertainer)
- Bea Eguiraun
- Bella James
- Billy Bolt
- Brian Manuel Otero
- Marc Lamont (Caedrel)
- Charles Andre Alexandre
- Daily Mail (Henry Robert Williams)
- Daniel Ahola
- Daniel Moss (Dantic)
- Dave Rosenburg
- David Egan (Drift Games)
- Adam Powell (Developer Adam)
- Diogo 'Move_Mind' Silva
- Dyler
- Emily Xuechun Zhang (ExtraEmily)
- Enis Kirazoglu
- Fresia Aria
- Gabs Djay (Gabs Djanogly)
- German Rodezel
- GoKartGod
- Greg Gevojanyan (MrCarSounds)
- Tansel Celia (Helydia)
- Jacopo D'Alesio (Jakidale)
- James Doyle
- Janja Garnbret
- Joe Tasker
- John-Marc van Wyk
- Jonathan Amaral (Jonathan Gaming)
- Joseph Eunbo Sim (Jojo Sim)
- Josh Richards
- Juank Perez
- Julia Haller
- Kalia Lai
- Karol Zdeba
- Larry Chen
- Leo Neugebauer
- Chris Matthews (Lethal Shooter)
- Leticia Bufoni
- Emmanuel David Brown (Manny)
- Zhang Jing (Mars)
- Matt Jones
- Melanie Buffetaud
- Mike Dokas
- Molly Carlson
- Molly Marsh
- Nate Saunders
- Nathan Lust
- Yau Hawk Sau (Neo Yau)
- nnnurdaylet
- Ilija Ravlic (Nugato)
- Nuri Amiraslan
- Pablo Jimenez (Pableke)
- Patrick Tremolada (Paky TWC)
- Norbert Osbath (Pamkutya Bela)
- Jack McDermott (Pieface23)
- Pol Tarres
- Qucee
- Rebecca Evans (QueenB)
- Steven Javier Santos del Rosario (RDJavi)
- Roberts Vitols
- Sarah Lezito
- Jan Liska (Shredded Fox)
- Siddhant Praveen Joshi (Shreeman Legend)
- Si Hyun Park
- Simon de Montfort Walker
- Timothe Rangstrom (Sporttouchen)
- Nieve Petruzziello (Stuntpegg)
- Niklaus Manuel Hirschi (Supercar Blondie)
- talkSPORT (Joseph Brophy)
- Taylor Serage
- Ujjwal Chaurasia
- Mateus dos Santos Machado Almeida (Tettrem)
- Romell Henry (TGFBro)
- Donato Jose Munoz Calabrese (TheDonato)
- David Canovas (TheGrefg)
- Timothy Kwang Suk An (litzTimmy)
- Tommo McCluskey
- Tyrique Hyde
- Vale Sulca
- Øyvind Ludwig Iversen (Wirtual)
- Zac Alsop
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