Sergio Perez forced to go on extreme diet ahead of F1 season because he’s too heavy for new car
SERGIO PEREZ has been forced to go on a crash diet ahead of the first race of the season because he is too heavy.
The Mexican has been putting on muscle over the winter to cope with the new F1 cars that are more physical to drive.
Sergio Perez has had to shed the pounds ahead of the new F1 seasonPA:Press Association
However, Force India’s new F1 car is too weighty meaning the 27-year-old has been forced to slim down — leaving him hungry.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest F1 news, gossip and rumours
He said: “I have tried so hard to lose weight in the last couple of weeks since testing in Barcelona.
“I increased my weight from last year purely by training harder, putting on more muscle, but I was on an extreme diet all last week and still now until Saturday.
“I am very hungry all the time but as much weight as I can lose, the better it will be for us.”
Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso has poked more fun at Honda as the McLaren team brace themselves for a disappointing start to the campaign.
Sergio Perez has been testing his new Force India car but admits he needs to lose as much weight as he canEPA
most read in motorsport
Lowdown
MotoGP 2017 race schedule, list of drivers and TV information - Everything you need to know
SUPERBIKE ACE HOSPITALISED
American Superbike star Nicky Hayden hit by a car while training on his bicycle in Italy
Monaco no go
Why is Fernando Alonso missing the Monaco Grand Prix and will Jenson Button replace him?
Le Main Man
When is the French MotoGP, what TV channel is it on and where is it being held?
172 laps in two days
Fernando Alonso is STILL 'not comfortable' with oval racing during Indy 500 qualifying preparations
WHEEL DEAL
When is the next F1 race? Monaco Grand Prix 2017 start time, TV coverage and information
FULL MONTE
When is the F1 Monaco Grand Prix 2017? What TV channel is it on? Race info from glamorous Monte Carlo
Button up for it
Jenson Button says he could return to Formula One full-time ahead of Monaco comeback
'They like squares'
Lewis Hamilton blasts F1 for turning him into a robot and says: I'm no playboy - I want to experience everything
LEW-SING WEIGHT
Lewis Hamilton sheds four-and-a-half pounds in sweaty battle with Sebastian Vettel to win Spanish Grand Prix
SPEED VISION
Sam Bird believes fastest lap honour shows promise of DS Virgin Racing despite frustration in Monaco
HOW THEY STAND
F1 drivers' championship standings and constructors' table: Sebastian Vettel extends lead on Lewis Hamilton to 13 points
Sergio Perez finished seventh in the drivers championship last yearGetty Images
The Spaniard has already accused the Japanese engine as having “no power” and “no reliability” during winter testing.
And he put on a broad smile when quizzed in Melbourne about any new thing he would like to see come into effect this year.
Leave a comment