Jann Mardenborough

Jann Mardenborough, born on September 9, 1991, is a British professional racing driver whose career began in an unconventional way. Unlike most racers who start with karting at a young age, Mardenborough's path to motorsport stardom began in the virtual world. In 2011, he won the Nissan PlayStation GT Academy competition, beating over 90,000 other entrants, demonstrating that skills honed in the digital realm could translate to real-world racing success. This victory earned him a professional racing contract with Nissan, launching his career.

Mardenborough's career has been marked by diverse racing experiences across various disciplines. He quickly proved his mettle, securing a podium finish at the Dubai 24 Hours in 2012. He has competed in Formula 3, GP3 Series (where he secured a win at Hockenheim), and the FIA World Endurance Championship. He also achieved a podium finish at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2013. Furthermore, he raced in the Japanese Super GT championship, even securing a win in the GT300 class.

His unique story, from gamer to racer, has captured global attention and inspired the 2023 film "Gran Turismo," showcasing his journey to professional motorsport. Beyond racing, Mardenborough has worked as a simulator and car development driver in Formula E and even contributed as a stunt driver for the "Gran Turismo" film. This showcases his adaptability and continued involvement in the world of motorsports, even beyond the driver's seat.