Bernie promised to find Hamilton F1 seat
F1's diminutive chief executive told 'The People' in an interview that he was so impressed with the current championship leader's formative career that he would have used his clout to bring him into motor sport's highest category.
Ecclestone, 76, said: "I told Lewis that if Ron didn't say 'yes' to him being in the McLaren then I'd get him into another team.
"There are only one or two drivers that I have ever said that to.
"I could see he had the talent. He has won everything he has ever done, so I thought, why shouldn't he win in formula one?"
Ecclestone said he was worried that F1 would face a slump following the retirement of Michael Schumacher but says the four-way title fight in 2007 has been a more than perfect remedy.
And he said: "Obviously, because Lewis has more points and is leading at the moment, you have to make him favorite."