Di Resta and Hamilton resolve bitter legal dispute after reaching settlement
Paul di Resta and Anthony Hamilton have resolved a bitter legal dispute after the Scottish racer’s former manager agreed to an out of court settlement with the ex-Force India driver.
Hamilton, father 2008 Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton, brought the claim after being sacked by former Force India driver Di Resta.
At the centre of the dispute was a £4.6million deal for an Energy drink, Go Fast, and whether some money linked to the Di Resta’s image rights ended up in a Grenada-based account run by the Hamilton family, constituting a breach of contract.
Resolution: Anthony Hamilton and Paul di Resta have reached a settlement
During the hearing at the High Court last December, Hamilton claimed that a host of computers and phones that would have been relevant to his damages claim against Di Resta went missing when he moved house earlier this year.
Hamilton then dramatically returned to the witness box to tell the High Court that he had found contentious ‘lost’ evidence at the back gates of his home in Tewin, Hertfordshire.
Other revelations which emerged during the hearing included Hamilton Snr claiming his son had promised him up to $4million when they split as manager and client in 2010 but the money was never paid. He once again backtracked in the witness stand to say the money had indeed been handed over.
Looking to the future: Di Resta plans to put the saga behind him and concentrate on his racing
Meanwhile, Di Resta was accused of entrapment by Hamilton’s legal team after he admitted taping phone a conversation with a lawyer involved in a proposed sponsorship deal with Go Fast.
However, despite the acrimonious nature of the fallout, both parties released statements yesterday expressing their relief that the dispute was finally over.
Di Resta, who has returned to the German DTM series this year after losing his Formula One seat, said: ‘This has been a difficult year and I am just pleased to put it behind me and to concentrate on my racing. I am looking forward to racing in DTM for Mercedes this year and to the future ahead.’
Regret: Hamilton Snr (right) admits he's sorry his relationship with Di Resta deteriorated
Hamilton said of the decision to settle out of court: ‘I am very sorry that Paul and I fell out to the extent we did, and I am pleased to put this matter to bed.
'Paul is a very talented driver and it is a real shame that he does not have the F1 seat in 2014 that he deserves. I am sure he will do fantastically well in DTM for Mercedes, and I wish Paul the very best for the future.’
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