Lewis Hamilton's scathing assessment of the damage being done to Formula One by Sebastian Vettel’s ongoing dominance may have smacked of envy but as the world champion stands on the brink of a fourth consecutive crown, it’s difficult to disagree.

Vettel’s complete and utter supremacy this term has turned the title race into a damp squib, numbing numerous F1 fans in the process.

Of course, for those who support Red Bull or Vettel it must be a dream season — but for the rest of us, it’s little more than a turn-off to witness the German winning race after race after race as he strolls to yet another championship with minimal opposition.

Victory at Suzuka in Sunday’s Japanese grand prix along with a ninth-placed finish or lower for Fernando Alonso would confirm Vettel’s fourth world crown in a row.

And, as has been related on these pages previously, let’s not forget that it would in all likelihood be number five if not for Ross Brawn’s innovative double diffuser that helped Jenson Button to the championship in 2010.

In this context Hamilton’s outburst seems very apt with the Briton suggesting that, as during Michael Schumacher’s time astride the summit of F1, some fans will simply turn off if the title race doesn’t become more competitive.

Indeed, this season has been anything but. Victory in Korea last Sunday marked Vettel’s fourth consecutive race win and took his total number of triumphs this term to eight out of 14 grands prix.

Not only that but the German has taken pole position six times with Hamilton winning the qualifying round on five occasions and team-mate Nico Rosberg taking pole in the other three.

The scenario is one that has vexed Hamilton, but he was at least gracious enough to acknowledge the brilliance of the Red Bull driver. This is in contrast to some, who claim rather unfairly that Vettel’s success is simply because he has the best car.

While this may be true, it’s worth pointing out that his estranged team-mate Mark Webber drives the same vehicle and hasn’t come close to emulating the German.

Regardless, significant rule changes next term could help to rebalance the field, with the current 2.4-litre V8 engines being replaced by turbo-charged 1.6-litre powerplants.

Such major upheaval often results in significant teething problems as Hamilton found to his cost in 2009 as his McLaren side struggled to adapt following the introduction of the kinetic energy recovery system.
As a result things may level out for a while and the sport may be a tad more competitive.

But for now Hamilton, his peers and dissenting Formula One fans alike will simply have to acknowledge Vettel’s undoubted brilliance as he eyes victory in Japan and another well-deserved world title triumph — or they could always just switch off.