Overview

Jann Mardenborough, born on September 9, 1991, is a British professional racing driver. His journey is remarkable as he transitioned from a gamer to a professional racer. Mardenborough’s passion for cars and motorsport led him to online gaming, specifically Gran Turismo. He won the Nissan GT Academy competition in 2011, beating around 90,000 entrants. This victory awarded him a professional racing contract with Nissan. Before GT Academy, Jann was preparing to study design and engineering. Mardenborough has since competed in various racing events, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and has raced in GT3 and junior formula cars. He has also competed in Super GT, Super Formula, and the FIA World Endurance Championship. His story inspired the 2023 film ‘Gran Turismo’. His success is primarily from his racing career and brand deals. On average, professional race car drivers in his league can earn anywhere between $200,000 and $500,000 annually.

Nissan (former)

Professional Racing Driver

What Is Jann Mardenborough’s Net Worth?

Jann Mardenborough, a prominent British professional racing driver, has accumulated a net worth of approximately $10 million. This financial standing is primarily attributed to his successful racing career, brand endorsements, and involvement in the “Gran Turismo” film project. His journey from a “Gran Turismo” video game enthusiast to a professional racer exemplifies a unique career trajectory in the motorsport industry.

Early Career and GT Academy Triumph

Born on September 9, 1991, in Darlington, County Durham, England, Jann Mardenborough’s early life was characterized by a passion for racing, nurtured through video games. His father, Steve Mardenborough, was a former professional footballer. Jann’s formative years were spent in Cardiff, where he developed an interest in motorsport. His introduction to the “Gran Turismo” series at age 8 sparked a dream of becoming a professional racing driver.

Mardenborough’s breakthrough came in 2011 when he entered the GT Academy competition, an event that attracted over 90,000 participants. This competition offered the winner a professional racing contract with Nissan. After progressing through rigorous training and racing challenges, Mardenborough emerged victorious in the final race at the Silverstone National Circuit, driving a Nissan 370Z. This victory marked the beginning of his professional racing career.

Professional Racing Career

Following his GT Academy win, Mardenborough underwent extensive driver training, enabling him to qualify for an international racing license. In early 2012, he participated in the Dubai 24 Hour race, driving a Nissan 370Z GT4, where his team secured a third-place finish in their class. Throughout 2012, he competed in the British GT Championship, driving a Nissan GT-R GT3 for RJN Motorsport. He achieved one race win with teammate Alex Buncombe and finished sixth in the GT3 championship, demonstrating his growing skill and competitiveness.

In 2013, Mardenborough transitioned to formula racing, finishing tenth in New Zealand’s Toyota Racing Series. He also competed in the FIA European Formula Three Championship and British Formula 3 Championship for Carlin Motorsport, finishing 21st and sixth, respectively. A significant milestone in his career was his participation in the 2013 24 Hours of Le Mans, where he drove for Greaves Motorsport alongside Michael Krumm and Lucas Ordóñez in the LMP2 class. The team achieved a third-place finish in their class, marking a significant achievement in endurance racing.

The following year, in 2014, Mardenborough continued to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, this time driving for OAK Racing alongside Mark Shulzhitskiy and Alex Brundle. Despite facing a spark plug issue, the team finished fifth in the LMP2 class, showcasing their resilience and competitive spirit. Mardenborough also secured second place in the 2014 Toyota Racing Series, further solidifying his reputation as a skilled and versatile driver. Later that year, he joined Arden International to compete in the GP3 Series, and around this time, Red Bull Racing signed Mardenborough to its driver development program, further underscoring his potential.

In July 2014, he achieved his first GP3 race win, a significant milestone in his single-seater career. In 2015, Mardenborough was selected to drive for Nissan Motorsports in the FIA World Endurance Championship’s (WEC) top LMP1 class, demonstrating his progression to the highest echelons of endurance racing. Simultaneously, he continued to compete for Carlin in GP3, balancing his commitments to both series.

However, 2015 was also marked by a tragic incident during the VLN series at the Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany. Mardenborough’s Nissan GT-R Nismo flipped over a fence, resulting in the death of a spectator. While Mardenborough was hospitalized for routine checks and was not seriously injured, the event had a profound impact on his career and personal life. In 2016, Mardenborough relocated to Japan, where he achieved fourth place in the GT300 class at the Super GT series and second place in the Japanese Formula 3 Championship. The following year, in 2017, he moved up to the top GT500 class of Super GT, driving for Team Impul. He finished 15th in the Super GT GT500 standings with teammate Hironobu Yasuda and came in 14th at the Japanese Super Formula Championship, demonstrating his adaptability and continued competitiveness in various racing disciplines.

In 2018, Mardenborough and co-driver Daiki Sasaki concluded the Super GT season in 12th place. In 2019, he began driving for Kondō Racing’s Nissan GT500 line-up alongside Mitsunori Takaboshi, and the duo finished 14th overall in Super GT that year and 19th overall in 2020. However, Nissan did not retain Mardenborough for the 2021 season. Consequently, he spent 2021 and 2022 as a car development driver and simulator for Nissan e.dams, contributing his expertise to the development of racing technology. In May 2023, Mardenborough made a return to racing at the Super Taikyu Series, driving a Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 for Helm Motorsports in the Fuji 24 Hours round. Despite facing brake issues, his team finished in fourth place, demonstrating his enduring passion for racing and his ability to perform under challenging circumstances.

Involvement in “Gran Turismo” Film

Mardenborough’s unique life story, from a “Gran Turismo” gamer to a professional racer, captured the attention of filmmakers, leading to the production of the “Gran Turismo” film in 2023. He served as a co-producer on the film, contributing to its authenticity and accuracy. He also worked as a consultant and stunt driver, providing his expertise to ensure the film accurately portrayed the world of racing. In the film, Mardenborough was portrayed by Archie Madekwe, who received a Black Reel Award nomination for Outstanding Breakthrough Performance for his portrayal. Mardenborough granted the filmmakers permission to include the 2015 Nürburgring Nordschleife crash in the film, believing it was essential to accurately depict the challenges and realities of his career. He emphasized the importance of portraying the mental and emotional impact of the accident and the process of recovery and resilience. This film project has undoubtedly contributed to Jann Mardenborough’s Net Worth, though the exact financial details of his involvement remain undisclosed.

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