David Malukas recorded a 1:15.3298 lap in the opening practice at the first ever Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham, placing the 24‑year‑old sixth fastest on the newly resurfaced 2.19‑mile street track.
Practice Performance
Driving the No. 12 Chevrolet for Team Penske, Malukas praised the newly laid asphalt as “fantastic” and one of the smoothest street circuits seen in the series. “It’s a blast,” he said, adding the layout would provide “a lot of fun” and “difficult corners” from the hairpin to the final section.
The driver noted that the first few laps still produced dust in his air intake, but by laps four and five the grip improved dramatically. “The grip level is so high,” Malukas observed, “and once it’s building, it’s hooking heavily.” That progression led him to expect “a very big difference” between practice and qualifying.
Track Conditions
Simulators had predicted a flat surface, yet the real‑world course presented notable elevation changes, particularly into the hairpin and into Turn 10. Malukas described the elevation change into the hairpin as a “good elevation going up into the hairpin,” and praised the heavy bump at Turn 10’s entry as an additional technical element that added complexity to braking lines.
After a track walk on Friday, Malukas recognized that Turn 10 was faster than anticipated, noting that the speed “you can actually carry through” was higher than his initial expectation.
Technical Challenges
Despite a smooth surface, a softer alternate tire campaign coupled with uneven brake temperatures plagued Malukas during the session. “We get into an issue where tires are ready and brakes aren’t at the optimal temperature,” he said. That mismatch forced the driver to lose control and brace against a wall.
Team Penske missed a clear reading on the alternate (“red”) tires, but teammates Scott McLaughlin and Josef Newgarden supplied useful data that could help rectify the problem before the event’s final session.
Tire and Brake Issues
With only hours left before a qualifying session on a rapidly evolving track, the driver anticipates a significant increase in lap times. “It’s going to be in seconds,” Malukas said. “If it cools down tonight, that’s even better for us. It will be fast.”
Qualifying Outlook
Malukas, sitting third in the championship, expects the newly maturing asphalt conditions to provide more grip and faster lap times in the evening session. The driver remains optimistic that the track’s improved feel will unlock the potential speed of the cars and help his team maintain a competitive edge on the fast‑evolving Canadian street circuit.
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