Tunnels get F1 ace Räikkönen buzzing

FERRARI's Formula One aces Fernando Alonso and Kimi Räikkönen put pleasure before business at the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, taking to a specially-made track in a hyper-exclusive 458 Speciale in a test of driving excitement.

The stars travelled down the road from the famous Spa circuit to an event hosted by Shell, Ferrari's fuels and lubricants partner, where a 1.2km circuit built for excitement had been put together, featuring a tunnel full of laser lighting, a simulated winter corner with authentic whirling snow, and an F1-style starting grid.

The tunnel flicked Kimi's switch more than any other part of the track, with the telemetry showing a spike in excitement levels as he hit the power through the multi-coloured lasers and smoke.

Sadly, Fernando's visit to the track was so brief he didn't even have time to attach the measuring gear.

When the devices were hooked up to ordinary drivers, the huge power-slides through the slippery winter corner created the biggest buzz.

“To uncover the findings we connected the drivers with two electrodes attached their fingers measuring changes in voltage caused by moisture on the skin. Higher levels of moisture correspond with higher levels of physiological arousal or excitement,” said Dr David Lewis-Hodgson, Chairman and Director of Research at Mindlab.

“Heart rate was also recorded using an electrocardiogram (EKG) which translates the heart’s electrical activity to a heart rate trace and was monitored by sticking three electrodes onto the drivers’ torsos to help reveal their most exciting driving experience.”

When asked for his opinion the frequently comment-shy Kimi said: “For me, driving is my biggest passion so it was fascinating to find out what it is about getting behind the wheel that really sets my heart racing.

“Thanks to Shell, I now know to go looking for tunnels when I’m not on the track.”

By Press Association reporter