Bernie Ecclestone on Friday said he understands why Fernando Alonso wanted to leave McLaren at the end of last year.

In an interview with the Spanish newspaper El Mundo at Valencia, the F1 chief executive credited the former double world champion for the recent boom in the popularity of his sport in the country -- leading to the addition of a second race in Spain.

But Ecclestone, 77, backs Alonso for leaving the Woking based squad.

"From a sporting perspective, it is obvious that his move to Renault was not good for him. But I know very well how unhappy he was (at McLaren)."

The diminutive Briton would not be drawn on the details of Alonso's McLaren breakdown, which hit its crescendo with the 2007 spy scandal.

"I have never asked him; that is something I should do," Bernie smiled. "I think what happened is he arrived to be the number one with a newcomer as his teammate. We all saw what happened -- they (McLaren) fell in love with Lewis (Hamilton) instead.

"I don't blame Fernando for what happened," Ecclestone explained.

Source: GMM