Scientists Have Discovered What Makes Driving Truly Exciting

• 31.08.2026, 11:53

Speed isn't the most important thing.

High speed alone does not make a trip more exciting. This is the conclusion reached by the authors of a study conducted by the British neuroscience company Brainbox on behalf of the lubricant manufacturer Castrol, reports Autoblog.

The researchers monitored participants’ brain activity, eye movements, skin responses, and heart rate changes while they tested various vehicles. These included the McLaren Artura GT4 race car, a Land Rover Defender, and a go-kart.

It turned out that the sensation of driving pleasure arises from a combination of three factors: physical stimulation, mental concentration, and emotional arousal. At the same time, fear must not outweigh the other sensations. The authors called this state “controlled immersion.” It is precisely this sense of control and complete focus on what is happening that, as it turned out, can make a drive particularly memorable.

The McLaren did indeed evoke the strongest emotions among the participants. However, during the high-speed ride as a passenger, excitement gave way to anxiety. Go-karting, despite its much lower speed, also had a noticeable emotional impact.
“You don’t need a supercar at all to experience the joy of driving,” said Castrol representative Vincent Panel.

The study also explains why a routine drive on a familiar, favorite road can be enjoyable even without high speeds. “No single factor determines the feeling of driving pleasure,” the study’s authors note.