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(Image: GETTY)

The British racer has new team-mate at Renault in Nico Hulkenberg.

And Palmer has been piling on the pounds to make sure he is ready for the challenge presented by the enormously talented German and the extra demands of the new breed of Formula One cars.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s opening race in Melbourne, Palmer said: “You need a lot more strength and I have put on three or four kilos. That is big gains for me, I have been telling all my friends I am bulky!

“The last few years has all been about losing as much as I can while still being able to drive the car. This year has been a bit of a luxury, eating more food.”

Palmer’s protein and carbs binging have come in conjunction with a change in F1 which will see cars speed up by around four seconds per lap thanks to a white-knuckle improvement in cornering speeds.

The Renault driver has been through a gruelling winter training schedule to build up his neck muscles to cope with the increased g forces brought about by the increased downforce,

But he admits he will not really know lies in store for his body until they start racing in anger.

“It is just a night and day difference to last year,” said Palmer of the improvement in the car’s performance.

“We are going so much quicker in the high speed corners. Corners that we were almost braking for are now nearly flat out.

“When we are going quicker in the high speed corners the g force is a lot more and that means you need more strength to support your body, your neck, your core and your back.

(Image: GETTY)

“Sadly I didn’t do that many laps in preseason testing so I haven’t found out all the aches and pains out yet, but I think Melbourne is going to be tough.”

Tough was certainly the word to describe Palmer’s rookie campaign in F1, with the rumours he could be dropped starting almost as soon as last season got underway.

Add to that the fact Renault produced a shockingly slow car and Palmer’s graduation to the top level of motorsport looked like it might be over almost as soon as it began.

With Hulkenberg signed up for 2017, it boiled down to straight fight for the remaining seat with team-mate Kevin Magnussen.

But a strong finish to the season saw Palmer save his skin while Magnussen headed to rival team Haas.

“Obviously to race in F1 last year was a dream come true,” said Palmer. “So few people manage to achieve that and there were times I didn’t think I’d manage it.

“But the other side was getting there and to be struggling with the car and then it was quite tense with Nico signed and having to show what I could do.

“That brought big pressure but I just didn’t let it get to me and just focused on what I could do in the car. So to get another year was obviously a big relief.

“A year under my belt has given me a lot of confidence to come back knowing what to expect. I feel a lot more comfortable and the team can expect a big step forward.

“Last year was really difficult – everyone knew it was going to be – so this year we should be much more competitive which will reflect much better on me.

“I made some rookie mistakes last year but all I’ve been trying to do is control what I can. Obviously there’s a hell of a lot you can’t control. But the feeling’s good going to Australia.”