Grapevine: Hamilton scraps triathlon battle

Hamilton agreed to take part in a triathlon later this month after being challenged by Button in the FIA press conference at Silverstone. It came in the wake of comments from Hamilton saying that he thought he was fitter than Button.

Button offered the head-to-head challenge after an exchange in the media centre - and won Hamilton over when he said: "What if I pay £10,000 to the charity of your choice if you beat me? What do you think?"

Hamilton agreed and later said: "The biggest incentive is, if I do beat you, then you've got some money for a charity which is great. However, you do have an advantage as you've already done one, and I already know that by doing one you're better the next time. But man, I'm up for it, I'm up for it... It's a date."

But less than an hour after Hamilton agreed to the contest, his father Anthony Hamilton issued a statement saying that he would not allow him to take part in the triathlon.

"Lewis accepted the challenge like the good sport he is, and in the spirit with which he accepts things," said Hamilton. "Unfortunately for Lewis, we are withdrawing him from this.

"We are in the middle of a championship and that is the focus of our attention."