2017 has so far delivered on its MOs: to make Formula One faster once again, and to reduce the gap at the front of the pack.

Yesterday’s qualifying session for the VTB Russian Grand Prix saw the top three separated at the end of Q3 by less than a tenth of a second. The session, which saw Ferrari clinch their first front row lock-out since the French Grand Prix in 2008, was one which saw such small margins, it meant that any one of the four front-runners had a realistic chance of taking pole position.

For Ferrari to not only take pole position but the entire front row at a track dominated by Mercedes since its inaugural event in 2014, the German marque having led all 159 racing laps, is a statement of intent. The two teams are very tightly matched; Mercedes having the upper hand in the first sector thanks to the ever-decreasing power advantage, whilst slipping away in the final sector, struggling heavily with balance and tyre temperatures. Ferrari, meanwhile, have it covered, seizing the opportunity to pull back the deficit.

What lies in store for today, then, is the prospect of a battle in which Vettel, Raikkonen, Bottas and Hamilton each have an equal chance of winning. If the Ferrari’s each get a clean start and pull away with no issues, then they’ve got the perfect chance to control the race. The onus will fall on Mercedes to execute an early stop in a bid to get the undercut on at least one of the Prancing Horses. Perhaps both Silver Arrows can mount a serious attack off the start line and jump the Ferrari’s into turn two? The permutations are endless, which is only a good thing.

To be able to write about four drivers each going in to a race with a genuine chance at victory is something that excites me. Building up to a race in which you don’t know which team will triumph is a tantalising prospect, and is one we should all be getting used to this year. Who knows, by mid-season Red Bull might have even joined the fight, and that would create something truly spectacular. If surprises likened to Ferrari dominating at Russia keep cropping up throughout the year then we really do have a monumental title battle in store.

Further down the grid, the mid-field battle is also tremendously close. The final points paying positions are hotly contested, meaning drama and action is ever-present right through the field.

Today’s race is something you should be very, very excited for. The result, whatever it may be, will be something worth waiting for and the events leading to that result will be gripping. F1 in 2017 is returning the sport to what it should be; fast, exciting, gripping and unpredictable. You’d be a fool to miss it.

Image courtesy of Sutton Images.