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The fresh trouble hiding Mercedes' true pace

Ferrari set the Friday practice pace at Sochi but claimed Mercedes was sandbagging. But the evidence suggests Mercedes' problems in Russia are real

If the first three grands prix of 2017 have taught us anything, it's that Ferrari and Mercedes are very closely matched, and the smallest details in driving, set-up and strategy can make all the difference to which of these Formula 1 powerhouses comes out on top at any given event.

Ferrari has arguably had the best car in race trim across each of the first three races, on differing track layouts. It was fast on the bumpy streets of Albert Park, on the more conventional sweeps of front-limited Shanghai, and on the rough, hot asphalt of Sakhir's desert setting.

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