Button to Compete in the 2009 London Triathlon

Championship leader Jenson Button has announced he'll compete in this year's London Triathlon, due to start in early August. Known as one of the drivers with the best physical condition within the F1 roster - joined by Australia's Mark Webber - the Brawn GP competitor confirmed the August event will also become part of his fitness programme for 2009.

In addition, Button announced that another motivation for his taking part of the event is raising money for charity.

“I'm aiming to finish in the top 10 per cent, so no pressure,” said Button, according to GMM news agency.

The London Triathlon is currently the largest triathlon in the world, being comprised of 1500 meters swim, 40 km bike ride and 10 km run. The event attracts year after year a minimum 11,000 competitors and is based in London's ExCel Exhibition Centre.

This is not Jenson's first triathlon competition in the UK so far, as the British driver first debuted in triathlon events in April 2008, at Sevenoaks, Kent. A couple of months away, the 29-year old ace joined the Nokia Royal Windsor Triathlon, where he came on a provisionally 117th place from 1624 finishers (14th overall in the male 25-29 age-group in the full-distance event).

The Windsor Triathlon featured a 42km bike ride, a 500m river swim and a 10km circuit run.