People are trolling the bleak new route for the Honda Indy that's leaving Toronto

The Grand Prix of Toronto, known to most Ontario residents as the "Honda Indy", will look much different this year with a move to the suburbs after almost 40 years.

One of the city's biggest summer sporting traditions announced last year that it would be relocating from downtown Toronto to Markham, following years of noise complaints from local residents that earned the race the nickname "roar by the lake shore." 

The event had ripped through the streets of Exhibition Place each year since 1986.

While the move to Markham keeps the race accessible for Toronto residents, many are struggling to grasp the sparseness of the route for the new temporary track, which will circle through Markham's suburban "downtown core."

"IndyCar at Markham" still doesn't sound real as a Toronto resident man. Come see The Building 😭 fym this is gonna be Turn 3 pic.twitter.com/MGKZysdrca

— Nathan 😀👍 (@KensethFan17_20) March 2, 2026

Despite the race being just a short drive for most GTA residents, many are in disbelief at how the new track looks compared to the landmark-studded route through downtown Toronto that it replaces.

Have a look at the Turn 5 hairpin surrounded by: pic.twitter.com/iWlsjyU3cv

— Nathan 😀👍 (@KensethFan17_20) March 2, 2026

Users on X are mercilessly trolling the featureless route, calling out landmarks like "a field" and "the building," jokingly suggesting that Markham's downtown consists of a single structure.

Don’t forget turn 8 which leads them straight into a field pic.twitter.com/yDDlCrYu6m

— Cam (@CameronVellios) March 3, 2026

Though Markham signed a five-year deal to bring the Honda Indy to the 'burbs, many users wonder if the 2026 race could trigger a move back to Toronto by the following year due to how underwhelming the new route looks.

"Bookmark this. Markham will be one and done despite the 5 year deal and Pfaff will make the upgrades to Mosport to take the race in 2027. Infrastructure improvements to get to the track are coming too. Indycar can handle Mosport. If ALMS prototypes can, Indycar can," another user wrote.

Markham's Mayor, Frank Scarpitti, is thinking much differently.

Back in September, Scarpitti made it clear that he believes this will quickly become a summer tradition in the city of roughly 375,000.

"Markham is ready to build on its strong sports legacy and offer a new home where this celebrated summer tradition can thrive," Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti said. "I am extremely proud of our team at the City of Markham for bringing this initiative across the finish line in just a matter of months."

The 12-turn street circuit race will take place from Aug. 14-16, where you can bet many will be sure to give their thoughts on the event, whether positive or negative.