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Hamilton and Di Resta reach settlement

ESPN Staff
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Anthony Hamilton and Paul di Resta's relationship fell apart in 2012 © Press Association
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Anthony Hamilton and Paul di Resta have reached an out-of-court settlement to bring to an end a bitter legal dispute.

Hamilton brought the case against the Scot in July 2012 for breach of contract after being sacked as his manager when Di Resta was a driver at Force India. Also at the centre of the dispute was a €5.5 million (£4.3 million) deal with energy drinks company Go Fast, and whether money linked to Di Resta's image rights ended up in an account run by the Hamilton family.

The Telegraph reports the High Court heard how Di Resta alleged he was deceived by Hamilton, who he accused of using a company in the British Virgin Islands to make a €1 million (£845,000 profit) on the Scot's drinks deal. It also emerged Hamilton received a £3 million gift from son Lewis after he won the world championship in 2008.

In a statement Di Resta announced he considered the matter to be closed - though it remains unclear whether money changed hands in the settlement.

"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," Di Resta said.

Hamilton issued a statement of his own, saying: "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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