Hamilton plays dastardly hand.(Sport)

Byline: SIMON CASS reports from Barcelona

FORMULA ONE has turned into the Wacky Races this season and when it comes to the sport's Spanish fans, Lewis Hamilton is only too happy to assume the role of Dick Dastardly.

Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel has largely been in a class of his own. But the raft of rule changes designed to improve overtaking opportunities have produced more action than the likes of Penelope Pitstop or The Anthill Mob ever managed.

On Spanish soil Hamilton is suited to the Dick Dastardly part thanks to his feud with Fernando Alonso -- Peter Perfect to the locals -- when the duo shared McLaren's garage four years ago.

Rather than try to challenge being the bad guy, Hamilton, spurred on by McLaren's image gurus and their Vodafone sponsors, has opted to embrace it. He has even recorded a series of internet videos highlighting that every good fight needs a hero and a villain.

It is just a shame fresh-faced Hamilton would struggle to grow Dastardly's trademark moustache. If he could he would doubtless be twirling it.

'It takes me a long time to grow anything so I'm not going there,' joked the 2008 world title winner (right). 'If I could I would, just to take the mickey.' That mischievous streak extends to spoiling Alonso's party here just as the former double world champion extended his contract with Ferrari until the end of the 2016 campaign.

There is, of course, the small matter of Red Bull's Vettel standing in the way of a battle between Hamilton, who won in China, and Alonso. McLaren and Ferrari have brought a swathe of updates to the Circuit de Catalunya in the hope of catching Red Bull.

But Hamilton was forced to admit that should Vettel qualify in pole position, the result is likely to be a forgone conclusion.

'When Vettel starts on pole position it's easy because he has clear air,' said Hamilton. 'It's pretty much done and dusted by turn one because he's able to look after his tyres and his engine.'