Hamilton won the prize last month for the fourth time in his career, despite finishing ninth in the Mexican Grand Prix.
It means that Ferrari’s Vettel has now gone four years without winning the prize, leading to talk he may never be able to reign supreme again.
In the time since his last victory, both Hamilton and the retired Nico Rosberg have dominated Formula One.
But Vettel insists he is not bothered by the dominance of his rivals, and has instead set his sights on winning the Drivers’ Championship next year.
“That’s not the way I look at it, I don’t count the days,” he said, when asked about his four-year title drought.
“I want to win the world championship for Ferrari. That’s what I want. That’s my goal and we have to realise that it doesn’t work out this year.
“We still have a lot in us as a team, so that should make it easier to fight.”
Vettel led the standings from March until September, before Hamilton gazumped him.
And the German insists he lost out on being No1 because of his own mistakes – and not because Hamilton was too good for him.
“I don’t like that. We had a straight fight,” he added.
“It was great for us this year, as well for them, but I don’t want to in any way take any glory away from him.
“He deserves every bit of it. Two races to go, he seals the championship and he deserves to win.”
Vettel last finished top back in 2013, when he was with Red Bull.
But the 30-year-old will now remain with Ferrari having extended his contract until 2020.
