Sebastian Vettel is concerned Formula One is being turned into a "show" and has urged decision makers to ensure its sporting integrity is maintained.

The Ferrari driver, a four-time world champion, fears the new hybrid era is stifling drivers' natural urge to race from the starting grid right up until the chequered flag.

He wants F1 bosses to use the proposed window for adjustments to technical regulations in 2017 to ensure competitiveness is top of the agenda.

"The way I consider it, Formula One is a sport," Vettel said in quotes reported by Crash.net. "I understand it's a show as well, but for me it's a sport.

"When I started racing what interested me most, apart from the driving, was the racing bit, the fighting with the other kids, trying to come out first, trying to be the quickest, and I think that remains the main challenge. For me this remains the most important thing. 

"Formula One has always been the pinnacle of motorsport so it's natural the cars should be quicker than all the other cars around the globe, which I think they are. 

"Here and there we have aspects we can improve and if you look back and figure an average I think it should be pretty clear what we should stick with or what we should go back to in the future."

Vettel, whose last title came in 2013, is fourth in this year's standings after three races.