Lewis Hamilton says he was ready for an all-out battle for victory at the Japanese Grand Prix but won’t change his approach to the final four races in 2017 as he closes in on a fourth Formula 1 world championship.

McLaren racing director Eric Boullier says the team is into the fine details with Fernando Alonso about his 2018 contract, with an update expected at the United States Grand Prix.

In a move to give fans more of an insight into the workings of Formula 1, a series of ‘sneak peak’ videos have been produced to get a behind the scenes look at the driver briefings with the Japanese Grand Prix meeting sparking controversy around seatbelts.

Sebastian Vettel has made no secret of the challenge he faces to turn the Formula 1 title race around in his favour after retiring from Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix, falling 59 points behind Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton in the process.

Match point for Hamilton and Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton feels Mercedes reliability gives him the platform to use his speed to beat Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari which he accepts is likely to be the deciding factor in the 2017 Formula 1 world championship.

Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene is lamenting a missed opportunity for the third Formula 1 race running after seeing Sebastian Vettel forced to retire due to a broken spark plug, while Kimi Raikkonen’s gearbox penalty hampered his race.

With both Haas cars finishing the Japanese Grand Prix in the points it marked only the second time in the team's Formula 1 history that is has scored double points which Gunther Steiner credits to driver happiness, with Romain Grosjean praising set-up changes including the brakes.

Carlos Sainz Jr.

After fierce clashes between the two earlier in the season, Sergio Perez has said he understands Force India's decision to not allow him to pass team-mate Esteban Ocon in favour of bringing home maximum points at Suzuka.

Pierre Gasly says he may still miss the United States Grand Prix in order to fight for the Super Formula title at Suzuka on the same weekend despite Toro Rosso announcing on Friday he would see out the Formula 1 season.

Max Verstappen doubts he would have been able to pass Lewis Hamilton for Formula 1 victory in Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix despite going a late charge that was ultimately halted by traffic.

Ferrari has explained Sebastian Vettel’s retirement in the Japanese Grand Prix was caused by a faulty spark plug on a cylinder in his engine.

Toto Wolff has described Ferrari ongoing reliability problems as ‘unbelievable’ having seen his team close in on the Formula 1 world drivers’ and constructors’ title in Japan.

Sebastian Vettel says he is not looking for any positives after retiring early from Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix and falling to 59 points behind Formula 1 title rival Lewis Hamilton, adding that the blow to his championship hopes "hurts".

Fernando Alonso has been sanctioned by the Formula 1 race stewards in Japan for failing to slow sufficiently for blue flags during the battle between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen towards the end of the race at Suzuka.

Full race results for the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka. 1. Lewis Hamilton GBR Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport 53 laps

Sebastian Vettel's Formula 1 championship hopes look all but over after being forced to retire early from the Japanese Grand Prix due to an engine issue, giving Mercedes rival Lewis Hamilton a chance to take a huge step towards the title.

Carlos Sainz Jr. will make his Renault Formula 1 debut in the United States Grand Prix later this month after completing an early move up from Toro Rosso following Jolyon Palmer's departure.

Toto Wolff says the current Formula 1 grid penalty system looks ‘ridiculous’ and wants rule changes but isn’t hopeful of seeing any changes in the immediate future.

Romain Grosjean felt a first top ten starting position since the British Grand Prix was on for Haas during qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix before his heavy crash in the first session.

With the announcement of Carlos Sainz replacing Jolyon Palmer at Renault from the United States Grand Prix, Daniil Kvyat has been called up to return to the Toro Rosso line-up alongside the driver who replaced him Pierre Gasly for the remaining four races of 2017.

Sebastian Vettel has qualified third for the Japanese Grand Prix behind both Mercedes drivers but after being promoted to the front row says it was overall ‘positive’ and that Ferrari should be stronger in the race at Suzuka.

Kimi Raikkonen has become the fifth driver to receive a grid penalty for this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix after Ferrari was forced to change the gearbox on his Formula 1 car following a crash in final practice at Suzuka.