Britain's former world champion Lewis Hamilton
says he fears Formula 1 fans will lose interest in
the sport because Sebastian Vettel is so dominant.
Vettel, 26, is on the brink of a fourth consecutive world
championship after winning the Korean Grand Prix.
Hamilton said he did not watch races when Michael
Schumacher dominated.
"I remember waking up to watch the start of the race
then going to sleep and waking up when it ended
because I knew what would happen," said Hamilton.
"I am pretty sure a lot of people are doing that today."
Vettel can secure the title at the Japanese Grand Prix on
Sunday if he wins at Suzuka and rival Fernando Alonso
of Ferrari is lower than eighth.
Fans have repeatedly booed the German as he
celebrated victories on the podium, but Hamilton, who
has fallen to fourth in the standings, insists the Red Bull
driver deserves to win the title.
"He has driven well all year," said the 28-year-old. "I've
just looked at his points and he has had second, first,
second, first all year. He's done the perfect job and he
deserves it."
Vettel is 77 points clear of Alonso after winning more
than half the races this season and could clinch the
championship with four grands prix to go.
He has won eight races, Alonso and Nico Rosberg have
won two while Hamilton's only success came at the
Hungarian Grand Prix.
Vettel's reliability has seen him finish on the podium in
two thirds of grands prix for the last four seasons but
his best performance was in 2011 when he won 11 of
the 19 races from 15 pole positions and only failed to
make the podium on two occasions.
In contrast, Hamilton has won 13 races since claiming
his only world title in 2008.
Vettel's record is similar to Schumacher's, who won
five world titles between 2000 and 2004, winning 48 of
85 grands prix.
And Red Bull team principal Christian Horner believes
he deserves to be ranked alongside the greatest drivers
of all time.
"He has to be right up there - he has to be," said
Horner.
"The level he is performing at is unbelievable in many
respects.
"We know Mark [Webber, Red Bull team-mate] is a
very talented and quick racing driver and matching
him against that, he has been hugely impressive.
"What has been really impressive is he has continued to
grow and improve as he has gained more experience,
and to have won the ratio of races he has is
remarkable."
says he fears Formula 1 fans will lose interest in
the sport because Sebastian Vettel is so dominant.
Vettel, 26, is on the brink of a fourth consecutive world
championship after winning the Korean Grand Prix.
Hamilton said he did not watch races when Michael
Schumacher dominated.
"I remember waking up to watch the start of the race
then going to sleep and waking up when it ended
because I knew what would happen," said Hamilton.
"I am pretty sure a lot of people are doing that today."
Vettel can secure the title at the Japanese Grand Prix on
Sunday if he wins at Suzuka and rival Fernando Alonso
of Ferrari is lower than eighth.
Fans have repeatedly booed the German as he
celebrated victories on the podium, but Hamilton, who
has fallen to fourth in the standings, insists the Red Bull
driver deserves to win the title.
"He has driven well all year," said the 28-year-old. "I've
just looked at his points and he has had second, first,
second, first all year. He's done the perfect job and he
deserves it."
Vettel is 77 points clear of Alonso after winning more
than half the races this season and could clinch the
championship with four grands prix to go.
He has won eight races, Alonso and Nico Rosberg have
won two while Hamilton's only success came at the
Hungarian Grand Prix.
Vettel's reliability has seen him finish on the podium in
two thirds of grands prix for the last four seasons but
his best performance was in 2011 when he won 11 of
the 19 races from 15 pole positions and only failed to
make the podium on two occasions.
In contrast, Hamilton has won 13 races since claiming
his only world title in 2008.
Vettel's record is similar to Schumacher's, who won
five world titles between 2000 and 2004, winning 48 of
85 grands prix.
And Red Bull team principal Christian Horner believes
he deserves to be ranked alongside the greatest drivers
of all time.
"He has to be right up there - he has to be," said
Horner.
"The level he is performing at is unbelievable in many
respects.
"We know Mark [Webber, Red Bull team-mate] is a
very talented and quick racing driver and matching
him against that, he has been hugely impressive.
"What has been really impressive is he has continued to
grow and improve as he has gained more experience,
and to have won the ratio of races he has is
remarkable."
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