Russell bemused at his and Verstappen's current placing in the drivers' standings

The papaya-coloured car has been the dominant team so far in the 2025 campaign, winning seven of the first ten races of the season, tallying 374 points, 175 clear of Mercedes in P2.

However, after the McLarens struggled for pace throughout the Canadian Grand Prix, the two teammates collided in the final few laps, resulting in Norris not finishing due to damage to his car, while Piastri could only finish P4, losing ground in the championship.

“I mean, to be honest, I don't really know how Max and I are so close to those two because they clearly have the most dominant car,” Russell said after his victory in Montreal on Sunday.

"I think the two of us have been very consistent and getting the maximum result from our packages week in, week out," continued the Brit as to why Russell and Verstappen are so close in the standings.

It's been an impressive start to the season for Russell at Mercedes, adding a race win to his five podium finishes this season, scoring 136 points, putting him 62 points away from Piastri at the top of the standings.

Verstappen's P2 in Canada was also his fifth podium of the campaign, but with another race win to his name that has boosted his points tally, he sits 43 points away from Piastri with 115 points.

McLaren had a significantly worse weekend in Canada compared to what they have produced so far this season, and Russell knows that performances like that won't happen again.

"I can't imagine them continuing to throw away points in the manner they're doing," Ruselll stated. "Of course, we hope that continues to be the case, but I don't foresee us getting in the championship fight through pure pace as Lando did last year.

"We'll only be there if results like today continue or things like today [with McLaren] continue to happen," concluded the Brit.