Race for F1 title will go right to the wire

SOCHI, Russia - After four evenly-contested races, Formula One returns to its European homeland with Ferrari revived and a fiercely-competitive season ahead as champion Mercedes battles to retain its crown.

That much became clear after last weekend's see-saw battle at the Sochi Autodrom, where popular Valtteri Bottas of Finland secured his first victory for Mercedes while puzzled teammate Lewis Hamilton struggled to finish fourth.

The Mercedes duo was separated by the two Ferraris of championship leader Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen in a race that saw little overtaking, but much tension.