5 talking points ahead of Japanese GP

F1 Grand Prix of Japan — Lewis Hamilton lost out to ex-teammate Nico Rosberg in last year's Japanese Grand Prix

4) Can Stoffel Vandoorne keep up the good work?

F1 Grand Prix of Malaysia - Previews — Vandoorne finished in the top 10 in the previous two races

Stoffel Vandoorne is having a very good first year in F1 especially considering the Belgian is driving an underperforming McLaren Honda.

Last weekend in Malaysia, Vandoorne finished in 7th place for the second race in a row, marking his best ever finish to an F1 race.

"I can say this is definitely my best race (Malaysia GP) in Formula 1 up until now."

The 25-year-old is ahead of teammate and double world champion Fernando Alonso in the driver's championship by only three points, but is showing what his skills can bring to a team aiming to be back at the top of the tree.

Having already being announced as McLaren's driver for the 2018 season, the future is looking bright for the GP2 champion.

Edited by Arvind Sriram