Kirkwood’s Mishap Costs Him Pole at Toronto
In a dramatic turn of events during the qualifying rounds for the Toronto Grand Prix, Kyle Kirkwood’s attempt at securing pole position faltered at Turn 8, ultimately leaving him in sixth place for Sunday’s race.
The driver of the No. 27 Andretti Global Honda demonstrated impressive car control but was unable to prevent a significant slide as he navigated the turn. After an unfortunate miscalculation—launching off the inside curb—Kirkwood’s car responded unpredictably and slid out of control, necessitating the abandonment of his flying lap.
Despite being the quickest in earlier qualifying sessions and poised for a showdown with teammate Colton Herta, last year’s pole winner, Kirkwood’s mistake allowed Herta to claim a decisive pole in the No. 26 Andretti Honda.
Reflecting on his performance, Kirkwood acknowledged the setback: “We definitely just gave away a pole, without a doubt… This one didn’t feel very good if I’m being honest.” He expressed disappointment in repeatedly losing pole opportunities on street circuits but extended his congratulations to Herta. “Happy for the No. 26 car, but very, very disappointed with that performance during the Fast Six.”
As preparations for the 90-lap event continue, Kirkwood will look to recover from the setback and leverage his speed to make a strong showing on race day.
