Anthony Hamilton pulls the plug on charity battle

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Anthony Hamilton, father and manager of McLaren star Lewis, has decided to pull the plug on the plans of his son to compete with Jenson Button in a charity triathlon competition. During the Thursday FIA press conference at Silverstone, Hamilton agreed to the challenge after saying that he thought he was fitter than Button.

Jenson Button offered a duel with Hamilton and won his countryman over by saying: "What if I pay £10,000 to the charity of your choice if you beat me? What do you think?"

Hamilton agreed and 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."

Only one hour after the agreement between Hamilton and Button, father Anthony Hamilton issued a statement that he doesn't allow his son to take part in the triathlon as he has to concentrate on the ongoing F1 season: "Lewis accepted the challenge like the good sport he is, and in the spirit with which he accepts things. 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."