Sebastian Vettel is in a class of his own as the Formula 1 season detonation off today - the only driver on the grid with three world championships now that renowned fellow German Michael Schumacher, who won seven, has leaved for the second and last time.
That statistic does not lie but nor, possibly, does it succeed as the whole truth in the eyes of the vast army of Ferrari fans for whom veteran Spaniard Fernando Alonso is the rocket man in red. Alonso has been runner-up to Vettel double and was in argument until the last lap of the last race in Brazil last year before declining just three points adrift, an annoying denouement to what he says was "by far" the best of his 11 seasons even although he won back-to-back titles in 2005-06.
If that close effect had gone the other way, it would be Alonso with three currently and Vettel with two. In other words, there is not as greatly between them as Vettel's monopoly would suggest, particularly if Ferrari can make a better start in a allegedly better car.
It means F1 has the crucial element of all major sporting contests - a cut-throat competition. Indeed, with three other previous champions in the field - Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen - the sport is likely one of its most aggressive eras. That creates Vettel's hat-trick all the more imposing.