Sebastian Vettel really needs a victory to reignite his bid to be crowned world champion but history would suggest Ferrari could be in for more frustration at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton benefited from team orders to win the Russian Grand Prix last weekend after Valtteri Bottas was ordered to let his team-mate pass.

Defending champion Hamilton leads Vettel - who finished third in Sochi - by 50 points and time is running out for the German, with only five races remaining. 

Not since Michael Schumacher's victory in 2004 have the Scuderia taken the top step of the podium at Suzuka and Mercedes have won the last four editions of the race.

We look at the Opta numbers as Hamilton eyes a fourth consecutive win at a track where he triumphed last year.