Force India tells drivers to lose weight!

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Preparing for the physical demands of the 2017 cars led drivers to build muscle over the winter, but Force India is now telling its boys to lose weight!

Heavy workouts in the gym since the end of last year produced weight gains of up to 6kgs as drivers built up body mass and muscle , especially around the neck, to help cope with significantly higher G-forces this year.

According to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, Force India's new VJM10 is struggling to remain with handling problems, part of which appear to be associated with the car's weight.

"We told them they should weigh 70 kilograms in Melbourne," said technical boss Andrew Green, referring to Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon who both apparently weigh 72kg.

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Ocon, who is one of F1's tallest drivers on the grid, went to extremes to bulk up before the season got underway, force feeding himself while on a stringent protein diet.

The Frenchman will now have to reverse course and lose up to 2kg but still maintain the necessary strength to feel comfortable in the car.

Deputy team boss Bob Fernley also underlined the difficulty for smaller, limited budget teams to adjust to the massive regulation change implemented this year.

"We're currently fighting for fifth place with Toro Rosso, Haas and Renault," he said.

"Williams is too fast for us, but we're catching up. The season is long."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.