Hamilton will be "different athlete" next season

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton thinks he will be "a different athlete" next season as revised driver weight rules will allow him to be a bit heavier.

Formula One next season will introduce a minimum weight for drivers (expected to be 80kg), instead of adding the driver's weight into the total weight limit of the car.

At the moment, there is a slight disadvantage to taller and heavier drivers and this will be reduced with these rule changes, as will the need to be on a very strict diet in order to save weight.

Hamilton made the decision to switch to a plant-based diet last season and he believes that decision was instrumental in winning the world championship title.

"I should be a different athlete next year, I'm excited for that," Hamilton told Autosport.