IndyCar Practice Report: Kirkwood Leads on Challenging Toronto Circuit
Toronto, Ontario – The opening practice session for the Honda Indy Toronto showcased a challenging track surface that left drivers struggling for grip. As they navigated the bumpy streets surrounding Exhibition Place, incidents abounded, marking a dramatic start to the race weekend.
Kyle Kirkwood of Andretti Global topped the session with a fast lap of 1:01.205 on Firestone’s quicker alternate tires, highlighting his adaptability on the demanding surface. "It’s bumpy, bumpier than last year," noted championship leader Alex Palou, who finished third overall with a lap time of 1:01.599.
Scott McLaughlin from Team Penske secured the second-fastest lap (1:01.341), edging Palou in the closing moments of the session. The top six was rounded out by Marcus Armstrong (Meyer Shank Racing), Will Power (Penske), and Callum Ilott (PREMA Racing), who posted times of 1:01.699, 1:01.854, and 1:01.899, respectively.
The session featured a mix of installation laps and high-pressure qualifying simulations, with various drivers encountering difficulties on the slick track. Christian Rasmussen and Alexander Rossi briefly led at the session’s outset but relinquished their positions as the field adjusted to the tricky conditions.
Key highlights included:
- Fastest Lap: Kyle Kirkwood – 1:01.205
- Top Five Times:
- Kirkwood (Andretti Global) – 1:01.205
- McLaughlin (Team Penske) – 1:01.341
- Palou (Chip Ganassi Racing) – 1:01.599
- Armstrong (Meyer Shank Racing) – 1:01.699
- Power (Team Penske) – 1:01.854
Looking ahead, the teams will return to the track for Practice 2 on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. ET, where further adjustments will be made in preparation for the 90-lap race on Sunday.
