F1: 4 Race predictions ahead of the Japanese GP

The three practice sessions are done and dusted and so has Saturday's qualifying as Lewis Hamilton records his 80th pole position.

Building up to this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka is seen as probably Sebastian Vettel's last chance to try and turn it all around.

The German is currently 50 points behind Hamilton in the championship with just five races remaining on the 2018 calendar.

But Vettel's attempts are not going to plan after Saturday's qualifying sessions.

Vettel was surprisingly ninth fastest while his teammate performed better by starting Sunday's race in the fourth position.

It is a big ask for Vettel and Ferrari to dig themselves out of an ugly hole and catch up with Mercedes and Hamilton come Sunday.

All that's left now to complete this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix is the race itself.

So here is our four race predictions ahead of Sunday's showdown...

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#4 Hartley, make the most out of it!

Hartley performed his best ever qualifying on Saturday

There was a big surprise in Saturday's qualifying when Toro Rosso's Brendon Hartley qualified in sixth position ahead of his teammate Pierre Gasly.

The New Zealander's F1 future is in doubt for 2019 but will be thrilled to perform as 6th fastest on Saturday in a bid to change Helmut Marko's mind on his contract.

2018 has been a tough year for Hartley with a number of retirements to his name and many low finishes have left the 28-year-old unsure about his future.

Come Sunday's race, however, there's no guarantee that Hartley's Toro Rosso will have the right race pace to compete against the Renaults, Force India's and the Haas'.

But it is a golden opportunity for Hartley to remind the bosses at Toro Rosso to why they should reconsider him.

#3 Podium is possible for Vettel

Vettel is 50 points behind Hamilton in the driver's championship

The last couple of years have been a nightmare for Ferrari when racing in Japan.

Last year when Vettel was competing against Hamilton for the championship, there were technical problems just minutes before the race was about to begin.

Vettel suffered a spark plug problem four laps into the race and had to receive a DNF (Did Not Finish) conceding a maximum of 25 points to Hamilton, who would go on to win the championship.

12 months on and the German is suffering once again this time by only qualifying in ninth position.

It is not what the four-time world champion had ordered but still has a crack to turn it all around on race day.

It will be a big ask but a podium finish is highly possible for Vettel when you consider the Ferrari's pace against the cars in front of Haas, Toro Rosso and Force India.

And there might just be a bit of support from the colleague of Kimi Raikkonen on the way.

#2 Another top 10 for Leclerc?

Leclerc will be joining Ferrari in 2019

All eyes are on Charles Leclerc come 2019 when the young man from Monaco will go behind the steering wheel of a Ferrari.

But before all of that, Leclerc still has five races left on his Sauber contract and his determination to impress is nowhere near out of the window.

Last weekend at the Russian Grand Prix was another fine race for Leclerc when he finished in 6th place to take home vital points for his Swiss team.

Saturday's qualifying saw the 20-year-old finish 11th fastest on the grid with another possibility of points finish come Sunday.

Teammate Marcus Ericsson had a disappointing qualifying as he will start the race at the back of the grid.

#1 Verstappen is the man at Red Bull

Verstappen is showing some real consistency

The second half of the season has treated Max Verstappen very well since his return from the summer break.

The last race before the holidays in July was the Hungarian Grand Prix as the Dutchman retired from the race in Budapest - wrapping up a disappointing first half of the 2018 campaign.

But something has made Verstappen click ever since and is now showing some top-notch consistency in terms of finishing races.

Since the Hungarian Grand Prix, Verstappen has finished fifth or higher including two podiums.

He has also outpaced his, soon to depart, teammate Daniel Ricciardo.

The Red Bull driver qualified third ahead of Sunday's showdown and may just fancy his chances of spoiling the Mercedes party.

Do you agree with our race predictions for Japan? Comment your thoughts below...

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