New weight rules allowed Hamilton to binge on snacks!

©Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton has an insatiable appetite for success, but the reigning world champion took advantage of F1's new weight rules to take his gluttony to the next level over the winter.

In a bid to ease the disadvantage suffered by taller and heavier drivers in the past, the FIA has imposed a minimum weight of 743kg this year.

However, the driver - fully suited and booted - and his seat must weigh in at a minimum of 80kg, which has allowed the majority of the grid to relax their diets ahead of the new season.

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Hamilton - a dedicated vegan for the past two years - started his 2019 physical preparations by binging on snacks. But the Brit insists his craving was strategic rather than linked to taste or weakness.

"Over the winter and in the break, I could eat whatever I wanted, so pancakes and Cheetos, all that stuff. But I stayed very active," explained Hamilton during pre-season testing in Barcelona where the Mercedes driver appeared undeniably beefed up.

"For the last month or so I have been pretty clean. My body fat is going down and you target more efficient defined muscle. I am not trying to be the Hulk .

"It takes time to put on muscle in the right way, but it has been great to eat bigger portions."

Hamilton typically weighed in at around 150 pounds last season, but the 34-year-old has now added more than four pounds of muscle and overall strength thanks to relaxing his diet and training hard.

"I feel stronger than I've been in a long time," he added.

"I worked with different people a few days on and a few days off just to pick up new technique.

"I worked with a vegan trainer, who has been vegan his whole life and is a very ripped individual, and a couple of athletes."

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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.