Jann Mardenborough is a British motorsports legend whose sheer talent, tenacity, and unwavering devotion have made a lasting impression on the racing world. After winning the GT Academy competition in 2011, he transitioned from being a competitive player in video games to a real-life racer. He has since competed in a number of national and international races, including the renowned Le Mans 24-hour race.
Who Is Jann Mardenborough?
Jann Mardenborough was born on September 9, 1991, in Darlington, County Durham, United Kingdom. Mardenborough’s transition from virtual racing to actual race tracks has been very remarkable. His father, Steve Mardenborough is a former footballer who played for various clubs in England and Wales. His mother is Lesely-Anne Mardenborough and he has a younger brother named Coby Mardenborough.
Raised in Cardiff, Wales, Mardenborough went to Radyr Comprehensive School. At the age of eight, he began playing the video game Gran Turismo, igniting his enthusiasm for cars and racing from an early age.
He enrolled in Swansea Metropolitan University to pursue a degree in motorsport engineering, but he dropped out of the course after three weeks as he was not fond of maths. He returned to Cardiff and started working at a clothing store with his parents.
Jann Mardenborough’s Career
The compelling story of Jann Mardenborough’s career is one of growth and success in the motorsports industry. His journey is evidence of the combination of skill and perseverance. His entry into professional racing was signalled by his virtual-to-realistic move through the Nissan GT Academy.
Mardenborough’s repertoire spans several racing series, where he has demonstrated versatility and skill. His involvement in single-seater notable series such as Formula Renault and GP3 cemented his reputation. His bold move into endurance racing, which included participation in the renowned 24 Hours of Le Mans, demonstrated his adaptability and tenacity.
Mardenborough has competed in various racing series such as the British GT Championship, the FIA European Formula 3 Championship, the GP3 Series, the Toyota Racing Series, the Blancpain Endurance Series and the Britcar 24 hour.
Driven by his love of racing, Mardenborough’s career captures the exciting journey of a gamer who becomes a racing prodigy. Beyond the track, his influence inspires a new generation to follow their aspirations in the face of adversity. The story of Jann Mardenborough’s career is one of extraordinary talent realised with unwavering dedication.
He lost control of his race car in 2015 and crashed into the railing of the track, killing one spectator and injuring dozens more. One of the pivotal moments in his career, the tragedy appears in the Gran Turismo movie.
In a 2013 interview with VICE, he spoke of how casually he entered the competition. “I woke up one morning and decided to have a go. I’d heard about the competition before and I’d always wanted to be a racing driver as a kid, but saying it and doing it are completely different things. At that time in my life I had nothing else going on — all my friends had gone off to travel or study, while I was still at home. So I put all my attention into GT Academy,” he said.
“Before this point, I’d never been on a track, driven a sports car, or power-slid a car. All my experience was on Gran Turismo! But I eventually won the competition and from there, my life changed completely.”
Film Based On Jann Mardenborough
The Gran Turismo movie is “based on the unbelievable true story of a team of unlikely underdogs – a struggling working-class gamer Jann Mardenborough (Archie Madekwe), a failed former racecar driver (David Harbour), and an idealistic motorsport executive (Orlando Bloom).” It officially debuted in theatres on August 25, 2023. To compete in the world’s most elite sport, they risk everything together. Nothing is impossible when you’re driven from within, as demonstrated by the exciting, action-packed, and inspirational tale of Gran Turismo.
