The new regulations introduced to the championship will lead to faster, harder-to-drive cars, meaning that drivers have had to spend the off-season preparing themselves for the increased physical demands.

Ocon, who says he put on 5kg during the winter break, admits that the preparation on his side was grueling.

"I was on a big protein diet, it was very hard, I had to force feed myself," he said.

"And now I stopped so I lost like 500g, something like that. But, no, it's been very hard, I've been doing nine hours of cardio per week, 10 hours of gym and all the rest was reaction training, circuit training... very hard stuff."

Asked whether weight had ever been a problem in his junior career, Ocon - who is one of F1's tallest drivers - said: "Not really. Last year I was on the limit of the weight, even though I'm very skinny.

"This year there is no restriction at the moment - and the team agreed it was more important to feel good in the car than be underweight and not be able to drive the car.

"Everything is stronger. I really improved on that aspect [the weight].

"Cardio, I went biking with some friends that were following me before and now they just can't follow me anymore. So, no, very happy with the progress."

In previous years, F1's heavier drivers have been at a marked disadvantage compared to their lighter rivals - and, for Ocon, the 2017 rules will be a positive change in the balance.

"I think now you can develop yourself more and do a bit more gym and eat more as you want, and that's a nice thing. Everyone will feel much better."

Palmer gains weight

Renault's Jolyon Palmer was another driver to have deliberately put on the pounds over the winter, saying he'd allowed himself the "full works" at Christmas.

"I have indulged in more foods, but I am a healthy eater," said Palmer at the launch of the new RS17 on Tuesday. "More carbs basically, and the quantity: more pasta, more spuds.

"It is the first winter in many years where I have actually had to put on weight. I had the full works at Christmas, Christmas was anything goes.

"I have put on between three to four kilos from last season, and basically that is upper body strength. It has been a lot of hours in the gym, hard work to get there, and I am looking forward to see how it stacks up on track."

Additional reporting by Jonathan Noble and Lawrence Barretto