When the human body travels at speed, the brain is bombarded with an unusually high amount of sensory information. This information needs to be quickly relayed to the brain so that decisions can be made and driving behaviours coordinated effectively.

Before a race has even begun the nervous system is activated in order to enhance the amount of sensory information passing to the brain. This is continually renewed, and includes information about the environmental conditions, the vehicle and condition of the driver’s own body. Muscular coordination can then occur, and these intense ‘biological computations’ can be maintained for hours if necessary provided the brain has adequate oxygen, fuel in the form of carbohydrates, hydration and constant internal temperature (between 37 and 38°C).

Around 80% of the energy spent in the brain functioning is converted into heat, which then needs to be dissipated in order to prevent overheating. Drivers therefore sweat profusely, and can loose 5-10% of body weight during a race due to dehydration.

Heart rates increase to the same levels as exercising athletes and stay high for extended periods (20-60 minutes) due to the intense emotional pressures experienced.

At this point levels of the neurotransmitters adrenaline and noradrenaline are between two and three times higher when compared with maximal physical exercise.