Ericsson Ends 63-Race Winless Streak at Markham

Marcus Ericsson has ended a 63-race winless streak by claiming victory in the inaugural INDYCAR race on the streets of Markham, Ontario. The Andretti Global driver secured his first win since March 2023, leading 21 of the 90 laps, including the final five, to complete the podium at the relocated Ontario Grand Prix event.

Ericsson’s performance marks a distinct shift in trajectory for the 35-year-old, who entered the race ninth in the 2026 standings, a significant improvement from his 20th-place finish in the previous season. The victory comes just one month after Ericsson secured a contract extension, following a period where he nearly lost his ride. He led the final five laps after overtaking teammate Romain Grosjean, who finished second for Dale Coyne Racing.

The race featured a controversial incident involving third-place finisher Will Power. Power made contact with Ericsson during a passing manoeuvre in the hairpin, an event Power attributed to miscommunication rather than deliberate obstruction. Power stated he had instructed his team to let Ericsson pass on the backstraight to maintain proximity to leader Alex Palou, but admitted he did not check his mirror before turning.

Grosjean, who has yet to secure a win in 78 career INDYCAR starts since moving from Formula 1, finished second. The French driver, whose last single-seater victory dates back to a 2011 G2 Series race, acknowledged the disappointment of the result but emphasised his commitment to controlling what he could.

Ericsson reflected on his resilience, noting that he had gone eight years without a win across his time in F2, F1, and early INDYCAR campaigns. He contrasted his current form with the previous season, describing it as a "bad spiral" where he was not fast and unhappy with the car’s feel. The Markham street circuit, which replaced the previous venue at Toronto’s Exhibition Place, provided the setting for this career milestone.