Max Verstappen reveals he used this 'secret trick' to overtake all 100 go-kart drivers in just 14 laps and 35 minutes
Published on Sep 24, 2026 at 1:40 PM (UTC+4)
by Ben Thompson
Last updated on Sep 24, 2026 at 1:45 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Mason Jones
Max Verstappen has opened up about a ‘secret trick’ that allowed him to overtake 100 go-kart drivers in 14 laps and 35 minutes.
The Formula One champion is used to winning, but even he needs strategy on his side.
When it came to taking on 100 amateur drivers, Verstappen admittedly started at a disadvantage, by being back of the crowd.
Fortunately for him, he had years of experience and one ‘secret trick’ up his sleeve.
Max Verstappen had his work cut out for him with this go-kart race
Verstappen may only be 28 years old, but he is already one of the all-time greats in motorsports.
Whether it’s his accomplishments on the track or his lifestyle off the track – from his jaw-dropping car collection to his ultra-pricey private jet – he’s a source of admiration for millions.
So you can imagine how stoked 100 amateur drivers were to have the opportunity to race against him.
The 100-strong group included content creators, streamers, journalists, athletes, and media personalities.
One such contender was Supercar Blondie’s very own Nik Hirschi.
They were obviously all hoping for victory, but Verstappen came out on top.
Verstappen had 35 laps and 75 minutes in which he had to overtake from all the other drivers.
He secured his victory within 15 laps and 35 minutes.
Scenes out on the track were as chaotic as you’d imagine, but that didn’t deter him.
So the question on everyone’s mind is ‘How did he do it?’
What was the ‘secret trick’ that secured Verstappen his victory?
Even for a pro like Verstappen, this race must have surely been a tough one to win.
He started off right at the back and somehow secured a victory.
It was his early start in go-karting that gave him the skills he needed to succeed.
“I learned (to bounce) when I was seven years old in karting; I had standing starts, and I had to do the same thing — it works!” he told talkSPORT.
“It was great to just be back in a go-kart again and go back to basics; it reminded me of racing back in the day.”
What exactly is ‘bouncing’ in this context?
It effectively means to utilize a bouncing technique to make a quick start out of the traps in a standing position.
His experience undoubtedly aided him in seizing victory, as he lapped 90 of his competitors by the sixth lap.
He made it into fourth place by the 10th lap.
Although he admitted to being ‘worried’ at the starting line, the race soon became fun for him as he picked up momentum.
All in a day’s work for a Formula One champion.
Timeline of Max Verstappen’s career
2001 – 2002: Verstappen begins go-karting at age four.
2013: At age 15, he wins both the CIK-FIA European Championship and the CIK-FIA KZ World Championship.
2014: Makes his single-seater debut at the FIA Formula 3 European Championship.
2015: Debuted at the 2015 Australian Grand Prix for Scuderia Toro Rosso, becoming the youngest driver to start a Formula 1 race.
2016: Promotion to Red Bull Racing, where he secures his first victory – the youngest in F1 history.
2016 – 2020: Establishes his capability over multiple wins across Austria, Germany, and Brazil.
2021: Secures his first world championship win.
2022 – 2023: Enters a period of dominance.
2024: Won his fourth consecutive World Drivers’ Championship.
2025: Finished runner-up to Lando Norris as the 2025 F1 Driver World Champion.
Ben joined Supercar Blondie in February 2025 after being published by international organizations including LADbible, The Sun, the New York Post, and the Daily Mail. He covers supercars, rare and collectible vehicles, aviation, luxury assets, and the fascinating people behind them. His reporting has explored everything from seven-figure supercars and historic Ferrari collections to unusual aircraft adventures and extraordinary automotive discoveries from around the world. Ben has also gained first-hand insight into vehicle craftsmanship and customization, including visiting specialist workshops to see bespoke vehicles up close.
