Vettel claims Mercedes have talked down their car peformance

Sebastian Vettel insists Mercedes have been better than what they've suggested over the course of the season. In terms of pure pace, it looked like Ferrari had the upper hand during the summer, but since the break Mercedes have pulled it back.

“I think it’s always been very close,” said Vettel in Sochi.

“I think the other side have been very good at communicating that they have an inferior car but I don’t think that was the case. We will see. We have a strong car, we know that, a car that we can work with.”

Sebastian Vettel now heads into a Grand Prix weekend facing a 50-point deficit. The German has made clear mistakes over the course of the season, including his runoff during his home race.