"I'm a competitor, so I'm one to say yes, but I've got people behind me who may...," he admitted, hinting that
McLaren may be reluctant.
Button - reminding Hamilton that his
Honda was unlikely to beat him on the track this season - then upped the ante by suggesting that he would put forward £10,000 to the charity of his rival's choice if he was to beat him.
"So, there's swimming, cycling and running. How far do you have to go? What is it? Fill me in, fill me in," he enquired before responding positively to Button's description of the 1.5km swim, 40km bike and 10km run - even when he was told that he had just three weeks to practice.
"That's not too bad," he mused, "I was just checking my calendar, so I wasn't being rude. I was trying to see whether I'm busy that day and, unfortunately, I don't think I am. No, honestly, 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.
"Okay, let's do it. It's a date!"
One man who will presumably not be joining in is reigning
F1 world champion
Kimi Raikkonen, who told the
Daily Telegraph that he only trains 'if I feel like it'.
"If not, I do more-or-less what I feel like," the Finn claimed. "I don't have schedules; I never do any planning. I hate planning."
Coulthard, meanwhile, initially accepted the offer to be referee of any challenge, before suggesting that he may be better suited to being a bottle-holder. The Scot announced his impending retirement from F1 at the press conference.
