Mercedes Formula 1 driver Nico Rosberg has revealed that he puts a woman's sanitary towel in his helmet to absorb sweat while racing.

The 29-year-old has claimed that he uses the material as an extra measure to prevent sweat from aggravating an eye problem.

"I have an issue with my eye when I sweat a lot so that is what the headband is for," Rosberg told Sky Sports News. "Actually I do have sort of a headband in my helmet, it is my trick, but I can tell you."

After Rosberg struggled to remember the name of his unconventional sweatband, Sky Sports' Craig Slater asked: "Sanitary towel?"

In reply, Rosberg said: "Sanitary towel - I put that on my forehead in my helmet to take up the sweat."

Rosberg and his Formula 1 competitors are preparing for this weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix.