Key Takeaways (TL;DR):
- Grid Penalties Issued: Kyle Kirkwood, Pato O’Ward, and Will Power received six-position grid penalties for unapproved engine changes ahead of the Markham Grand Prix.
- Growing Penalty List: The trio joins Alexander Rossi, Christian Rasmussen, and Marcus Armstrong, who were previously penalized for identical infractions.
- Impact on Title Contenders: Title contender Kyle Kirkwood drops from 14th on the grid, further complicating his race strategy against championship leader Álex Palou.
Pato O’Ward (Arrow McLaren), Will Power (Andretti Global), and Kyle Kirkwood (Andretti Global) will each serve six-position grid penalties for unapproved engine changes ahead of the Markham Grand Prix on Sunday (16). The three drivers join Alexander Rossi, Christian Rasmussen (Ed Carpenter Racing), and Marcus Armstrong (Meyer Shank Racing), who were penalized for identical technical infractions on Friday.
Among the newly penalized trio, Kirkwood—who enters the weekend second in the championship standings, 110 points behind Álex Palou—had qualified highest in 14th position. O’Ward qualified 19th, while Power managed 23rd in a disrupted qualifying session.
In the drivers’ championship standings, O’Ward sits fifth with 355 points, while Power occupies 11th position with 256 points.
IndyCar returns on Sunday (16) for the Markham Grand Prix at 1:00 PM local time. Complete coverage of all sessions continues on GRANDE PRÊMIO.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why were Kyle Kirkwood, Pato O’Ward, and Will Power penalized at the Markham GP?
All three drivers received six-position grid penalties for unapproved engine changes exceeding their season allocations.
Which other drivers received engine penalties for the Markham Grand Prix?
Alexander Rossi, Christian Rasmussen, and Marcus Armstrong were also handed six-position grid penalties for unapproved engine changes earlier in the weekend.
How do these grid penalties affect the 2026 IndyCar title race?
Championship runner-up Kyle Kirkwood will drop further down the starting grid from 14th position, creating an additional challenge as he attempts to close the 110-point gap to leader Álex Palou.
