Are fans sleeping through the Vettel era?

Lewis Hamilton believes that Sebastian Vettel has enjoyed the perfect year in 2013.

The 2008 Formula One World Champion believes that the German has well and truly earned the 2013 F1 title, which will be his and Red Bull’s fourth consecutive championship.

With the exception of one retirement at Silverstone during the British Grand Prix, Vettel hasn’t finished lower than fourth all season, collecting 11 podium finishes and 8 victories from the opening 14 races of the season.

If he can claim his ninth victory of the season, whilst Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso finishes lower than eighth, he will claim his fourth title.

‘He has driven well all year, 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.’ Hamilton told the BBC.

The 26-year-old has amassed a points tally of 272 points to-date, which has already surpassed his total when he won his first championship in 2010.

With five races remaining and another 125 points still available, Vettel is unlikely to beat the 392 points he scored in 2011 but only needs 9 more to beat last years total.

But Vettel and Red Bull’s dominance over the past few years will be seen as a negative to the fans according to Hamilton.

During his likely four championship winning seasons Vettel has won 29 races from 72 Grand Prix’s, statistics that compare well with Michael Schumacher’s dominating era between 2000 and 2004 when he and Ferrari won 48 races and five consecutive titles from 85 Grands Prix.

‘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, I am pretty sure a lot of people are doing that today.’ Hamilton added.

Untouchable Vettel closes on fourth world title