\u201cOne of my dreams was to meet Max Verstappen, and through this journey it\u2019s all come true. My brain is a bit all over the show \u2013 but I\u2019m ready.<\/p>\n
Content creator Taylor Serage will compete against Max Verstappen at Silverstone. Photo \/ Annaleise Shortland<\/p>\n
\u201cNever in my wildest dreams did I think \u2018Race Mode\u2019 and all my silly car videos would get me in front of Max. To see him talking and inviting me? I\u2019m going to keep that video forever.\u201d<\/p>\n
While it all might seem like a bit of fun, Disney+ broadcasting the event on September 16 shows this is no joke.<\/p>\n
Serage will be joined by a host of Red Bull athletes, celebrities, fellow creators and fans in trying to keep Verstappen in her mirrors and to prevent him winning at all costs.<\/p>\n
The 30-year-old Aucklander has been picked by Red Bull as the sole New Zealand representative in the 100-strong field, but will also be joined by New Zealand-born, Australian-based TikTokker Nathan Lust for company.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s more, no stone will go unturned in her preparation. <\/p>\n
With less than three weeks to go until the race in mid-September, Serage hit the track at Game Over in East Auckland, where she received a crash course in an electric go-kart, before she steps up to the real thing.<\/p>\n
Serage\u2019s instructor was two-time New Zealand Grand Prix winner, ex-Toyota Racing Series champion and Supercars driver Daniel Gaunt, who owns and operates Game Over, while Kiwi drifter Mad Mike\u2019s advice has also been sought and accepted.<\/p>\n
\u201cI felt good, Dan from Game Over was giving me tips,\u201d she said after her first practice session. \u201cWe did some great laps, I was following behind him and learning apexes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel more pumped-up and more ready than ever. Electric cars are faster than petrol ones, [but] once I feel the petrol ones, I think I\u2019ll be quite ready.<\/p>\n
“I feel more pumped-up and more ready than ever,” Taylor Serage said. Photo \/ Annaleise Shortland<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve done a little bit of preparation. We have a simulator that I\u2019ve set up for Silverstone. That\u2019s going to help me prepare, knowing what I\u2019m looking at when I get there.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve never been to Silverstone before, this is my first long-haul flight ever.\u201d<\/p>\n
Feeling ready is one thing, attempting to stop Verstappen winning is another entirely.<\/p>\n
The 28-year-old Dutch star is already among the greatest to ever drive in Formula One, with four drivers championships, 71 race wins and 131 podium finishes from his 12 seasons to date, and more in the pipeline after extending his contract to the end of 2030.<\/p>\n
Naturally, then, racing against a host of non-professional drivers should be a walk in the park for the Dutchman. <\/p>\n
As far as Serage is concerned, though, her job is to start as high up the field as she can and, at the very least, make it difficult for Verstappen to overtake her.<\/p>\n
Max Verstappen (left) celebrates his second-placed finish at the Austrian Grand Prix. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s qualifying, so my goal is to make it as far as I can in that,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen he does come up \u2013 which he will, he\u2019s Max Verstappen \u2013 I\u2019m going to try and have a little battle to keep on the driving line and see what I can do.<\/p>\n
\u201cI do think he\u2019ll overtake me, that\u2019s inevitable, but I definitely want to have a fun interaction with him.\u201d<\/p>\n