The Japanese Grand Prix is historic for being a Formula One race which always seems to settle titles.
From the first Drivers’ title battle in 1976 between James Hunt and Niki Lauda at the Fuji circuit, the infamous battles between Prost and Senna, to the latest Drivers’ Championship to be won at the Suzuka circuit by Sebastian Vettel in 2011, it always seems to make the headlines.
This weekend, it could be Mercedes who celebrate once again as the team have the opportunity to win the Constructors’ Championship for a third consecutive year.
The team sealed their previous titles in Russia, both in 2014 and 2015. However, with the battle going to the 17th round of the 2016 season, the championship has gone on longer than in both the last two years of the V6 hybrid era.
After the last round of the season in Malaysia, the German manufacturer currently sits at the top of the championship, as it has done all year, with a tally of 553 points.
They are 194 points ahead of second-place Red Bull with a maximum of 215 points from the final five races.
Ferrari, who are in third place on 313 points, no longer have a chance of winning the title after only Kimi Raikkonen scored points last time out in Malaysia.
Mercedes are in total control of their destiny in this battle. If the team are not outscored by Red Bull by 23 points, they will be confirmed as champions.
The scenario has occurred twice in 2016, the first after both Mercedes cars crashed out in Spain and in the last round in Malaysia when only Nico Rosberg scored points.
Therefore if Mercedes score 25 points from the weekend, they are champions no matter what their rivals do.
This could come from a race win, a combination of second and sixth place finishes or finishing positions of third and fifth places for their drivers.
History suggests the team have the ability to do it.
The team have recently had good form at the Suzuka circuit, with two one-two finishes in the last two years and Lewis Hamilton claiming both victories ahead of Nico Rosberg.
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