Valtteri Bottas blames Mercedes’ black overalls for 3kg weight loss during Spanish Grand Prix

Valtteri Bottas has blamed Mercedes’ black overalls for the 3kg weight loss he experienced during last week’s Spanish Grand Prix.

Mercedes decided to change their branding in support of equality and Black Lives Matter, a move which was influenced by Lewis Hamilton who is the only black driver in the F1.  

New black overalls and and all-black car were unveiled before the first race of the season but Bottas believes the colour is to blame for higher temperatures in the cockpit as it absorbs the heat.

Valtteri Bottas thinks Mercedes’ black overalls are to blame for his 3kg weight loss on Sunday

‘These black overalls are f***ing hot,’ the driver said over team radio during the race, which saw temperatures of 34 degrees.

After the race, Bottas added: ‘It was really hot in the car. This year, it’s been even hotter in the car. Obviously, we had to change the colour of the overalls.

‘And it’s known that black colour takes more of the heat, especially when there’s direct sun.

The driver said that black absorbs heat meaning that temperatures were higher in the cockpit

‘I don’t know any number or facts, how much actually black versus white is in terms of temperature difference, but this year, it’s been really hot in the car.

‘It was just so hot so I said, “guys, you know that these overalls are way too hot.” And for sure, white would be cooler in terms of temperature and today for example I lost three kilos in the race, which is quite a lot.’ 

Bottas also revealed that the new overalls are thicker due to new regulations which could also have played a role.

The Finnish driver finished Sunday’s Grand Prix in third place with his team-mate Lewis Hamilton coming out on top.

Mercedes’ new branding was influenced by Lewis Hamilton who is the only black F1 driver