A century of racing history collided on the track as three-time world champion Max Verstappen faced off against rising star Arvid Lindblad in a generational battle of speed and skill. The Red Bull contribution to this event provided a diverse fleet of vehicles spanning from a 1924 Model T to cutting-edge 2026 prototypes, challenging the drivers to master vastly different technologies across ten decades. Verstappen initially dominated the competition by selecting modern powerhouses for the acceleration tests, including a 2017 Ford Fiesta WRC and a 2200-horsepower F-150 Lightning Super Truck. His performance in the electric super truck was particularly overwhelming, as he clocked a 6.47-second sprint that left Lindblad’s vintage 1986 RS200 trailing behind with an 8.37-second run.
To keep the competition alive, Lindblad participated in a high-stakes bonus round involving the oldest vehicle on site: a 1924 Model T. Tasked with lapping the cornering circuit in under three minutes, the young driver had to manage a vehicle with wooden wheels, three floor pedals, and a top speed of only 40 mph. Despite these mechanical hurdles, Lindblad showed immense grit, finishing the lap in 2:22 and leveling the points heading into the technical challenges. This momentum carried into a cornering battle where Verstappen utilized the 2026 Mustang Darkhorse SC to set a benchmark of 37.81 seconds. Lindblad, driving a legendary 1966 GT40, struggled with cold tires and a manual gearbox but finished only four seconds behind the champion, signaling his readiness for the final showdown.
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The finale transformed the technical exercise into a psychological duel as the "world champ" took on the "new kid on the block" in a simultaneous two-lap sprint. Having won the previous challenge, Verstappen secured the first pick and choose an Australian V8 Supercar, a machine noted for its "squirly" power and raw handling. Lindblad opted for the 2025 Mustang GT3, a choice that provided a significant advantage due to its modern paddle-shift system, which relieved him of the clutch-related difficulties he faced with the heritage cars. As the race commenced, Verstappen pushed his V8 Supercar to its physical limits, sliding through corners and "sending it" over the curbs to record a 1:06 lap time.
However, the clinical precision of the newcomer ultimately carried the day. Lindblad used every inch of the track to set a rapid 1:03 lap, beating the veteran champion by three seconds. While Verstappen admitted he could see he was slower during the run, he maintained a smile throughout the experience, praising the fun of testing the limits of such a diverse array of machinery. The event concluded with Lindblad celebrating an upset victory, proving that while the history of the sport is built on the legends of the past, the future of racing is firmly in the hands of the next generation.
