“It’s in the regulations so we have to stick to them. I thought I would be
tight on weight in Melbourne but I was fine so I can really eat now. I can
actually eat carbohydrates and I feel better for it.”
The 34 year-old added: “Some guys are struggling. [Adrian] Sutil is struggling
with weight and I am sure they are dehydrating themselves, because that is
what I was going to do – go in the sauna, steam room, not drink or eat until
after qualifying.
“You would have breakfast but no carbohydrates and only stuff that goes right
through you quickly and very limited.
“As soon as you have carbs they are a bad thing because they are like a sponge
for liquid. That’s why they are a bad thing for weight. I was going to do it
and did all year until now but it is a shame for the guys who have to do it.”
Button, who is 183cm (6ft) tall, said in pre-season he was aiming to weigh
just under 70kg, while Hulkenberg is thought to weigh around 74kg.
Hamilton, who is 174cm (5ft 8 1/2in) tall and is thought to weigh around 68kg,
said he had sympathy for the sport’s heavier drivers.
“At the moment I’m pretty sure it’s hardcore what people are doing,” the
29-year-old said.
“You can go into qualifying a little bit dehydrated. I heard someone was doing
that, exhausting themselves. And then the next day they can drink some more
because the race is different.”
The 2008 world champion said it would be “silly” if someone asked him to get
down to the weight of Felipe Massa; one of the lightest drivers on the grid.
Hamilton added: “At the moment we’re okay, the car is a decent weight, and
we’re able to stay reasonably well within the weight limit. But for the
really heavy drivers, I can’t imagine how it is for them. There’s a minimum
they can physically get to without cutting their arm off.”