Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel believes Mercedes are "very good" at "telling us their car is inferior" with the Silver Arrows now dominating this season's constructors' championship.
Mercedes dominated the race in Sochi on Sunday, with Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton recording a one-two finish in Russia.
Hamilton's win on Sunday meant that he extended his advantage over Vettel from 40 points to 50 points with only five races remaining of the season.
"Obviously, it's not nice to have a gap like that, but then I think I've been way more realistic about the gaps in general and the performance between the cars," Vettel said ahead of this weekend's Grand Prix in Japan.
"I know we have a great car, I'm not doubting that, but I believe their car is very strong too and has been very strong."
Vettel believes that Mercedes have deliberately downplayed their W09 car this season.
"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."
Vettel is remaining positive despite the gap to last season's world champion.
"I think it's been a reasonable match. There's been qualifying sessions where we've had the upper hand by a tiny bit and they had the upper hand by a little bit," the German continued.
"Sometimes also a bit more like (Russia) or France or other races. I think we have a good car, we need to make sure we keep improving it."
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