DISNEY+, ESPN AND RED BULL PRESENT "MAX VS 100," LIVE ON SEPTEMBER 16

One of the world's greatest racing drivers. One impossible challenge. Four-time Formula 1(R) World Champion Max Verstappen attempts to overtake 100 drivers, live on Disney+ and the ESPN App

LONDON, UK (August 25, 2026) - Disney+ and ESPN today announced "Max vs 100," a first-of-its-kind motorsport race created with Red Bull, which will stream live globally1 on ESPN on Disney+ on September 16 as part of customer's existing subscription. The live event will see four-time Formula 1(R) World Champion and Red Bull athlete Max Verstappen attempt to overtake 100 drivers. "Max vs 100" will also stream live on the ESPN App for ESPN Unlimited subscribers in the U.S. and air on ESPN2 on delay later that day.

Taking place at Silverstone, one of the sport's most iconic circuits, 101 karts will line up on the grid at once for one of the biggest go-kart races the world has ever seen. The closed race will bring together Red Bull athletes and gaming talent, social media creators, streamers, media personalities and surprise guests from around the world as they attempt to keep the lead on Verstappen, offering a new racing format that blends elite competition with entertainment and innovation.

Triple BAFTA winning British comedian Mo Gilligan will lead the live broadcast, bringing his trademark wit and energy to the event, as part of a wider presenting team who will provide expert race analysis and commentary throughout the challenge.

The event recreates the format that shaped Verstappen's early career: start at the back, and fight through the field. However, this time the sheer number of competitors makes the outcome anything but certain.

The 100 competitors facing off against Verstappen will come from every corner of sport and culture. Red Bull athletes from wildly different disciplines - ultrarunner Arda Saatçi, basketball shooting phenomenon Chris "Lethal Shooter" Matthews and freestyle mountain biker Matt Jones - share the grid with Red Bull streamers TheGrefg, Caedrel and TheDonato, plus content creators, personalities and everyday fans invited from around the world. All 100 are there to answer a question every racing fan has asked: could you beat Max Verstappen if the odds were stacked in your favour?

For Verstappen, the challenge is also a return to where it all began. Before the Formula 1 World Championships and the records came karting, where he developed the instincts and race craft that shaped his career.

Max Verstappen said: "In go-karts you learn all the basics: starts, defending, overtaking. Of course, I spent a long period of my life go-karting, so it's always nice to return. It's about understanding the grip of the go-kart. I've done so many years in go-karting that you quite naturally get back into things."

Sean Doyle, Vice President, Unscripted, Disney+ EMEA, said: "The moment we heard the idea for 'Max vs 100', we knew it was something really special. Taking one of the greatest racing drivers in the world and asking him to overtake 100 drivers is the kind of challenge you can't help but want to see play out. Working with Red Bull, we've created a live event that's ambitious, entertaining and genuinely unpredictable. It's another exciting step as we continue to expand our live and sports entertainment offering on Disney+, and we can't wait to bring the excitement of live motorsport to a new generation of fans."

Mo Gilligan said: "I'm absolutely thrilled to be teaming up with Disney on this hugely ambitious project. Max Verstappen, 100 drivers and one massive race - this show is going to be truly spectacular. It's fast, unpredictable and, above all, a lot of fun. Somehow, I've got the best seat in the house, and I can't wait to take everyone watching on Disney+ along for the ride."

The circuit at Silverstone has been purpose-built for the occasion by Race Director and French racing driver David Terrien, a renowned kart designer and youth karting world champion, making it possible for 101 karts to race simultaneously for the first time.

The race will deliver a fresh take on motorsport coverage, bringing fans closer to the action with game-inspired graphics and cinematic drone footage. Produced by Whisper, the award winning, global production company behind some of the world's most ambitious sports and entertainment storytelling, the broadcast will integrate live race data and on-screen insights will be displayed on screen ensuring fans can follow every stage of the race as it unfolds. In a unique twist, Verstappen will be able to communicate directly with his competitors during the race, offering fans an unparalleled insight into the conversations that help shape the race as it unfolds.

"Max vs 100" joins ESPN's growing sports offering on Disney+'s in select markets across Europe, giving customers access to premium live sport, flagship studio shows, original programming and more. The offering spans the UEFA Women's Champions League across Europe, alongside UEFA men's club competitions, domestic football, local sports channels and major U.S. sports in selected markets.

"Max vs 100" is a Red Bull Media House production, commissioned by Angela Jain, Head of Content, Disney+ EMEA, and Sean Doyle, VP, Unscripted, Disney+ EMEA. The live event is executive produced by Antonia Howard-Taylor, Disney+ EMEA, Ignacio Leon, Red Bull Executive Producer, Kutlu Baklacioglu, Red Bull Head of Motorsports Network, and Simon Corney, Executive Producer Whisper.

1 Availability may vary by market.

About Disney+

Disney+ is the dedicated streaming home for movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic, along with The Simpsons and outside the U.S., general entertainment brand Hulu. As the flagship direct-to-consumer streaming service from The Walt Disney Company, Disney+ serves as a connection point for audiences around the world with an unmatched collection of award-winning general entertainment, gold-standard family programming, the most trusted news, and global sports programming from ESPN. With unprecedented access to Disney's long history of incredible film and television entertainment, it is also the exclusive streaming home for the newest releases from The Walt Disney Studios. Disney+is available as a standalone streaming service or as part of bundle offerings in the U.S. whereby bundle subscribers can now stream Hulu and ESPN content directly in the Disney+ app. Subscriptions also include access to the Disney+ Perks loyalty program including special discounts, everyday savings, and early access to exclusive experiences that only Disney can offer. For more, visit disneyplus.com, or find the Disney+ app on most mobile and connected TV devices.

All of ESPN. All in One Place.

ESPN offers its full suite of networks and services directly to fans on the ESPN App with an ESPN Unlimited subscription, providing more choice, flexibility and access to all of ESPN, including more than 47,000 live events per year, on-demand replays, industry-leading studio shows and original programming, and more. The ESPN App gives fans a unique viewing experience that includes multiview and synchronized two-screen viewing options, swipe-able shortform vertical video and a personalized SportsCenter For You, as well as integrated game stats, ESPN Fantasy sports, betting odds and information from DraftKings, sports merchandise, and more. These features are available to all fans who watch on the ESPN App on mobile and connected TV devices, whether they subscribe directly or through a pay TV package from certain providers. Bundling options available for fans include a Disney+, Hulu, ESPN offering that provides a one-of-a-kind streaming package combining sports with branded and general entertainment. For more visit stream.espn.com.

About Whisper

Whisper is a leading global, independent production company where Entertainment is Everything. Founded in 2010, Whisper functions as a multi-genre powerhouse that combines a dynamic, people-first culture with the scale to deliver for the world's biggest broadcasters and brands. Following its 2026 return to private ownership, the group has reinforced its long-standing commitment to disruptive storytelling and technological innovation.

With over 300 staff in offices across the UK, EMEA and North America, Whisper delivers world-class production across its core pillars of Sport, Entertainment, Documentaries, Gaming and Branded Content, supported by end-to-end Social and Digital services.

Whisper is proud to work on the most iconic sporting events and in partnership with global federations and rights-holders, including UEFA, Formula 1, EA, Wimbledon, and FIFA. Whisper's innovative production - which includes Women's Rugby World Cup, Paralympics, BBC Sports Personality of the Year, Built In Birmingham: Brady & The Blues, Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune - is consistently delivered in collaboration with major SVODs and broadcasters such as Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, BBC, ITV, and Channel 4.

A multi-award-winning industry leader, Whisper is a BAFTA winner and multi-Emmy nominee, consistently recognised as a Sunday Times and Broadcast "Best Places to Work" winner.