» Alonso to shed kilos for KERS return

Fernando Alonso will have to cancel his takeout orders from here on, after promising to shed any excess weight ahead of the return of the Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS) for the 2011 season.

Despite the sport’s rulebook allowing for an increase in the minimum car/driver weight limit for next season, the return of the heavy units rewards teams and drivers who can keep any excess weight down.

Spain’s El Mundo Deportivo says the Ferrari driver, currently weighing in a 68kg, wants to lose between two and three kilograms before the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix in mid-March.

“With the return of KERS, every kilo a driver can trim can be used as ballast. So I’m going to lose a little weight,” he confirmed.

“I will also improve my athletic preparation for the longest championship in history because it will be necessary to be fully fit for ten months,” he added.

Another driver believed to be contemplating a stint with Jenny Craig is Williams driver Rubens Barrichello, who has reportedly been asked to drop a few pounds by his Williams engineers.

[Original image via LAT]