Daniel Ricciardo has been told to be leaner for the new Formula 1 season by Red Bull team bosses.

The Australian revealed the development at the team’s livery launch in London as the Milton Keynes squad aims to maximise the most from its new RB12.

Ricciardo says he is three kilograms lighter than he was at the end of last year but the team has requested he lose even more weight.

It is understood that the aggressive design of its RB12 has prompted the call.

Driver weight has become increasingly more important due to the heavier V6 turbo hybrid power units.

Every five kilograms of weight equates to 0.2s in lap time according to teams.

“It is not fun losing weight, but if I thought it would be a real challenge or whatever for sure I would not have got the weight off,” said Ricciardo.

“But I know I can do it and hopefully get myself there. It is not only weight I put on over Christmas, because I didn’t put 5kg on.

“But we are quite tight with the weight of the car and we have been advised to be a bit leaner than last year. So it will be more like 2014 for us now.”

While happy to answer the team’s request, Ricciardo is however concerned by the growing constraints put on the drivers.

“For us, this year, it is on a fine-line. And it is about management,” added Riciardo.

“If I can get down to 67-68kg and still be healthy then it’s okay. But it is starting to get on the low side.

“I wouldn’t want to drop below that and still perform at the level we do. It is a challenge – but it has made me more interested in nutrition and things I can learn with my training.

“I’m learning about my body and trying to be more efficient, not only through training but also in the car – which could help me out.”