Lewis bows out of Button's challenge

LEWIS HAMILTON

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Friday 4th July 2008

Lewis Hamilton scored another public relations own goal on Thursday in a season in which the 23-year-old has often hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

In fairness to Hamilton, after accepting a challenge thrown down by Jenson Button, it was father Anthony who proceeded to put the ball into the back of his son's net.

In many respects, though, Lewis did not help himself after earlier this week stating he is the fittest man in the Formula One paddock.

That only served to raise the eyebrows of Button, who this year in a bid to improve his own fitness, has been competing in triathlons, and with considerable success.

Only recently he finished 117th out of 1,700 in the Royal Windsor event, comprising an Olympic standard 1.5km swim, 40km bike ride and concluding with a 10km run.

On hearing of Button's achievement in Amsterdam on Tuesday when he was announced as the new face of Reebok, with a �10million contract in his pocket, Hamilton remarked: "That's very good."

He added: "I think I'm fitter than Jenson - but I've got to prove it."

Hamilton should have chosen his words more carefully in the first place, but once in the public domain, there would always be only one conclusion.

With Button due to compete in the Bath Triathlon on July 27, the Honda driver suggested to Hamilton he should join him.

In a knockabout media conference ahead of this weekend's British Grand Prix, the McLaren star was initially unwilling.

But then Button threw down the gauntlet as he said: "What if I say �10,000 to the charity of your choice if you beat me?"

Alongside Hamilton and Button sat David Coulthard, who pointed out to the younger driver: "You can't turn down a man challenge"!"

Eventually Hamilton readily accepted, albeit after consulting his diary on his phone, remarking: "I've checked my calendar to see if I am busy that day - and unfortunately I don't think I am!"

The exchange between the duo was all light-hearted, and at that point the stage was set for a classic British stand-off, a duel for charity that would have generated fantastic publicity.

But within half-an-hour, Anthony had knocked the idea on its head, initially releasing a statement.

It read: "Lewis accepted the challenge like the good sport he is, but his management has decided to withdraw him from it."

A further half-an-hour later, and in a bid to clarify matters, the statement had altered.

"Lewis accepted the challenge like the good sport he is, and in the spirit with which he accepts things," remarked Anthony Hamilton.

"But unfortunately for Lewis we are withdrawing him from this.

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

It is understood McLaren would not have had an issue with Hamilton taking on Button, but instead Lewis found himself overruled by his dad.

The situation clearly does not reflect well on the Hamiltons, and in particular as no mention has been made of 28-year-old Button's favoured charity receiving some money by way of recompense.

With barely a thought, a positive had been turned into a negative for Hamilton who has hardly covered himself in glory of late.

Earlier this season Hamilton conceded to making a major mistake in agreeing to take part in a PR stunt for McLaren sponsors Vodafone just a few days ahead of the Turkish Grand Prix.

In a re-enactment of the sacking of Troy, Hamilton played the God Apollo, although was dressed in his McLaren overalls and appeared embarrassed as he was lowered into the battle scene on wires.

Then came Canada when he crashed into the back of Kimi Raikkonen's Ferrari at 30mph in the pit lane, offering little by way of an apology as he described it as "a driving incident."

A fortnight later, and prior to the French Grand Prix 11 days ago, Hamilton chose to attack the media for the critical headlines in the wake of his moment of Montreal madness.

This latest gaffe again indicates he is being poorly advised, a matter that quickly needs to be addressed for his own sake.

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