Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany celebrates his victory after winning the European F1 Grand Prix in Valencia, June 26, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany kisses the trophy on the podium after winning the European F1 Grand Prix in Valencia June 26, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

VALENCIA, Spain - Lewis Hamilton conceded on Sunday that the Formula One title was effectively out of reach after Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel notched up his sixth win in eight races.

"I think it's finished really," the McLaren driver told reporters after finishing fourth in an uneventful European Grand Prix. "In the sense of the championship it's almost over already."

Hamilton, the 2008 world champion, beat Vettel in China in April but that victory was achieved with better strategy rather than a quicker car. He is now fourth in the standings and 89 points behind Vettel.

The German is 77 points ahead of his nearest challengers, McLaren's Jenson Button and Red Bull team mate Mark Webber, with 11 races to go and a maximum 275 points to be won.

Since Hamilton's win in China, all the signs are that the Red Bull has speeded up while McLaren - who won a rain-hit Canadian race two weeks ago with Button - have fallen further off the pace and behind Ferrari in normal conditions.

"In all honesty we weren't as quick as the Ferraris so even if I was ahead of them I would have really struggled to have stayed ahead," said Hamilton.

"It seems like we've take a step backwards perhaps this weekend in terms of performance or the others have taken a step forward again."