PAUL DI RESTA fears new weight limit regulations in Formula One next season could be bad for his health.
The Scot, one of the tallest drivers in the sport, says he is already lighter than he would like to be and is concerned he could be under pressure to shed more pounds should he retain his seat at Force India.
The minimum weight limit for car and driver together will be raised from 642kg to 692kg beacuse the engines will be heavier due to a switch from this season's 2.4-litre V8s to 1.6-litre turbos with extensive energy recovery. However, the engines are turning out to be even heavier than anticipated and the ideal weight for a driver will be around 60-65kg, considerably below Di Resta's current size.
"It is a concern for a driver like me," he said. "I am three or four kilos under what I would like to be to be healthy. I'm four kilos lighter than when I started in F1, and I was pretty much on the limit of what I thought I could get to then.
"It's always something that's at the top of your mind - do you have a starter or a dessert? You eat just enough to maintain yourself and to keep your energy high. It can be a bit of a push and it has always been a concern for me being on the tall side. It's hard work, but at the end of the day you can't change who you are."
"It's a little bit of an unfair advantage to be a smaller guy because not only can they move the weight [in the car] in the right place but they can get themselves in a healthier state. I'd like to see the weight limit raised because it would make no difference to the smaller guys.
Asked whether he feared Force India may look to replace him with a smaller driver, Di Resta added: "It's a bit of a waiting game. I've built up a good relationship with the team and I think I've done a good job for them over this season to ensure they know what I can do."
Practice for tomorrow's Korean Grand Prix in Yeongam was dominated by Mercedes and Red Bull. Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg were first and third-fastest in the second session, with Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber second and fourth. Di Resta was 11th-fastest.
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