5 talking points ahead of Japanese GP

2) Vettel should be hoping for a repeat of the 2012 Japanese GP

Alonso retires on the first corner in 2012

34 points currently separate Vettel from Hamilton at the top of the tree going into the Japanese Grand Prix; a scenario identical to the one the German racer experienced in Suzuka in 2012.

Before the 2012 edition of the Suzuka race, Fernando Alonso was leading the championship by 29 points with Vettel trailing, but luck was with the Red Bull driver as the Spaniard was forced out of the race at the first corner after a collision with Raikkonen. Vettel took advantage of that by going on to win the race and taking maximum points, thereby putting him back in contention.

It was Vettel's second race win in a row and he added two consecutive victories in South Korea and India, allowing him to take his third world championship in the final race in Brazil.

That may be fresh in the German's mind ahead of this weekend as he enters the race knowing that just one DNF for Hamilton will give the Ferrari driver the best opportunity to revive the title race.