Max Verstappen beat 100 go‑kart racers in 35 minutes at Silverstone, while a sports roundup covers rugby, cricket, tennis and NFL updates.

Max Verstappen completed 14 laps to overtake 100 go‑kart drivers in 35 minutes at Silverstone on Wednesday, the Red Bull driver said after the live‑televised "Max vs 100" challenge.

The event, staged as a promotional showcase, featured the Formula One champion racing against a field of amateur competitors on the circuit’s karting layout. Verstappen finished the 14‑lap sprint in 35 minutes, beating the last participant by a margin of just under two seconds.

Red Bull confirmed the stunt was designed to highlight the driver’s skill in a low‑downforce environment and to engage fans ahead of the upcoming season. "The karting challenge tests reflexes and car control in a way that’s pure and exciting," a Red Bull spokesperson said.

Other Sports Updates

• South Africa will face Fiji at Central Coast Stadium north of Sydney in a final warm‑up match before the 2027 Rugby World Cup, officials announced on Friday.
• New Zealand Cricket said it will not renew Ben Sawyer’s contract as women's coach, ending the Australian's four‑year tenure with the White Ferns.
• India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir said Vaibhav Sooryavanshi must wait for his opportunity after the 15‑year‑old prodigy remained on the bench during the series sweep of Afghanistan.
• Eighth‑seeded Liudmila Samsonova advanced to her first semifinal of the year after defeating top‑seed Marta Kostyuk 4‑6, 6‑2, 7‑5 at the Guadalajara Open in Mexico.
• The Chicago Stars appointed former U.S. women’s national team coach Vlatko Andonovski as chief soccer officer on Thursday.
• Forward Saddiq Bey agreed to a three‑year, $55.5 million contract extension with the New Orleans Pelicans, ESPN reported.
• Buffalo Bills wide receiver DJ Moore left the field with a shoulder injury during the second quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions on Monday.
• LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt was upgraded from doubtful to questionable on Thursday ahead of the rivalry showdown with Ole Miss on Saturday.