Ecclestone: Hamilton most deserves title

Hamilton holds a four-point advantage over teammate Fernando Alonso heading into the Brazilian Grand Prix, with Kimi Raikkonen a further three points adrift.

And although the contest is too tight to call at the moment, Ecclestone thinks that Hamilton would probably be the most worthy winner.

"Whoever is champion is a champion because that is what they are," said Ecclestone at Interlagos on Friday morning. "But I think Hamilton deserves to perhaps hold the crown.

"He has done a superb job, and a great job worldwide for the sport's popularity. People seem to concentrate on the UK but it is worldwide."

Ecclestone admitted that Hamilton's colour was an added bonus in helping drive up F1's profile worldwide.

"It doesn't hurt. It is good. The more people from more parts of the world that are following F1 the better."

He then joked: "It is a pity he is not Jewish as well, because then we would have a much bigger audience then. Or Muslim actually, not Jewish, because there are much more Muslims."