Markham turns IndyCar upside down on track as Foster takes pole and Palou hits the wall

Key Takeaways (TL;DR):

• Foster Claims Pole: Louis Foster put on a dominant display in Markham, topping FP2 and setting a 1m13.238s in the Fast 6 to secure pole position for RLL.
• Palou’s Rare Blunder: Championship leader Álex Palou hit the wall in Q2, breaking his rear suspension and triggering a red flag that stripped him of his fastest laps.
• Red Flag Chaos: Engine issues, fuel shortages, spins, and wall strikes led to four separate red flags throughout qualifying, severely disrupting drivers like Caio Collet and Josef Newgarden.

The IndyCar weekend in Markham has been one of the wildest of the season. Friday ended in embarrassment after the entire schedule was canceled due to the street circuit not being ready for track action. On Saturday, absolute chaos unfolded—starting with a thoroughly deserved pole position for Louis Foster.

Before cars finally hit the track, few would have tipped Foster for pole in Markham. While the Briton has consistently shown raw speed, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing remains a step behind the top-tier teams, and Álex Palou has routinely controlled the field. However, after finishing FP1 in third and FP2 in first, Foster proved that he was a genuine contender for the front row.

Still, hardly anyone would have placed Foster on the same tier as Palou in a head-to-head battle for pole. Even fewer would have predicted the Spaniard making a rare driver error to miss the Fast 6 entirely. Yet, the Ganassi driver clipped the wall and crashed in Q2, bringing out a red flag that stripped him of his fastest laps.

Anyone who missed qualifying might naturally assume that Kyle Kirkwood—always a force on street circuits—now has a prime opportunity to slash Palou’s championship lead. While the chance is there, the American has a steep hill to climb after a disappointing qualifying effort leaves him starting down in 15th.

Amidst the unpredictability in Markham, Caio Collet must cling to the impressive pace he displayed throughout Saturday rather than his final qualifying position. The Brazilian completed FP1 in second and closed out FP2 in ninth, despite brushing the wall late in the session after being startled by Graham Rahal’s spinning car. With damage taking its toll, Collet starts from 22nd on the grid.

Caio Collet targets a strong recovery drive in Markham (Photo: Foyt)

Translating practice speed into a strong race outcome is easier said than done, particularly as IndyCar enters a crucial window for defining the 2027 grid—a factor that naturally heightens the pressure on Collet. To pull off a recovery, the Brazilian will need AJ Foyt Racing to execute flawless pit stops and strategy akin to their performance at St. Louis, paired with a driving display matching his strong runs at Arlington and Mid-Ohio.

While past performances guarantee nothing, the combination of a tight, unforgiving street circuit and walls already tagged by veterans like Will Power and Josef Newgarden suggests Sunday’s race could be a chaotic roller-coaster for the entire field.

IndyCar returns on Sunday (16) for the Markham Grand Prix. The 14th round of the 2026 season is scheduled for 1:00 PM local time, with complete coverage from GRANDE PRÊMIO.

Markham Grand Prix – Fast 6 Qualifying Results

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What time does the IndyCar Markham Grand Prix start on Sunday?

The Markham Grand Prix race is scheduled to start at 1:00 PM local time on Sunday, August 16.

Why is Álex Palou starting further back on the grid in Markham?

Álex Palou clipped the wall during Q2 and damaged his suspension, bringing out a red flag. IndyCar rules stipulate that any driver causing a red flag loses their two fastest laps from that segment.