For once the old 'dreams can come true' cliche really is appropriate for the soaring success of a racing driver. As you may know, Jann Mardenborough won the
Gran Turismo Academy
back in 2011. He was on a gap year, thought he was a bit handy at GT and will now be driving for Christian Horner's GP3 team this season. Phenomenal stuff.
Jann's proved worth of GT Academy project
As a GT Academy NISMO protege, he's driven GT3 GT-Rs at Le Mans and Spa, raced in European F3 and taken a podium at the Dubai 24-Hour in a 370Z. His talent has been proven, no doubt, and certainly reinforces too the legitimacy of the GT Academy in producing
genuine racers
GP3 has already produced winners who have graduated to F1, including Valterri Bottas and Esteban Gutierrez. Mardenborough has also been selected to take part in the Infiniti Red Bull driver development programme, no doubt thanks to Horner's ownership of the Arden team. Some of a more cynical persuasion won't need it pointing out that Nissan run the GT Academy and also created Infiniti...
Anyway, having spoke with Jann for a few minutes on the phone after returning from New Zealand (where he finished second in the TRS championship), he's predictably excited about the year ahead. But his feet seem firmly on the ground too, describing his first meeting with Christian Horner as "crazy" and appreciative of the great position he now finds himself in.
GP3 has already made two F1 drivers...
His GP3 season starts with testing in Barcelona late in March. Amazingly, the only two circuits Jann won't have driven before this season are Sochi (obviously) and the Hungaroring. He was particularly looking forward to Abu Dhabi and loves Monza.
By continuing the NISMO affiliation Jann is hopeful there will be other opportunities to race at Le Mans. He described his first experience as "awesome" and mentioned how it was "refreshing" to see so many enthusiasts at the event before the race. Probably all PHers, come to think of it...
We had a quick chat about road cars too. Ironically given he's won a race in a GT-R GT3, Jann hasn't been allowed out much in a GT-R road car. But then he is only 22 and, by his own admission, "fears the worst!" if given free rein too soon. But having endured 7,000 miles in a Juke NISMO (he says he liked it so the PR training must be good) he must be due an upgrade. 370Z NISMO perhaps?
But regardless, congratulations are certainly due to Jann for his fantastic achievements in motorsport. His success already augurs brilliantly for the upcoming season, and we'll be following his GP3 campaign with interest.
More in an official promo vid here.