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

3) Raikkonen needs to support Vettel now

F1 Grand Prix of Italy - Qualifying
Vettel may need the support of teammate Raikkonen now more than ever

The last few races have been rather agonising for the Ferrari team. Their bad form began at the Italian Grand Prix, the team's home race, when Vettel finished third while Hamilton won it to take over the championship lead for the first time this year.

The Ferrari board were not amused by the result on home turf that weekend and put out a message that the team must improve and quickly.

It didn't get much better in the following race in Singapore when both Ferraris crashed out on the first corner, giving Hamilton a 28-point lead following which Kimi Raikkonen's car retired moments before the start in Malaysia.

Raikkonen not finishing the race not only dents the team's chances of winning the constructors' championship, but also his lack of support for Vettel's 5th world championship bid.

Ferrari will be hoping for both drivers to bring their cars in safely this weekend, and Raikkonen could be key to Vettel's attempts to reduce Hamilton's lead - by trying to stay ahead of Hamilton in the race or allowing Vettel to pass.

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