Formula One commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone has backed British driver Lewis Hamilton to return to form.

Hamilton has found himself struggling to keep pace with McClaren teammate Jenson Button for much of the season.

The 26-year-old was expected to challenge for the Drivers' Championship but finds himself 38 points behind Button ahead of next weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Furthermore, Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel has already won the Championship, although Ecclestone believes Hamilton will come good.

"In life you go through ups and downs, and I think he is just going through a bit of a rough period generally in his life," said Ecclestone.

"When life is easy, you get lucky and everything goes well. When things start going wrong, they start piling up and going more wrong. He will get out of it. I spoke to him in India. He is great. I'm sure he will be okay."

Hamilton is currently fifth in the World Drivers' Championship standings.