F1: 4 Race predictions ahead of the Japanese GP

#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.