Gran Turismo film tells story of gamer-turned-racer Mardenborough

When Sony Footage introduced the “Gran Turismo” online game sequence would spawn a film, it mentioned the plot would heart on a teenage gamer who turns into a real-world racing driver. It seems that plot is predicated on a real story.

A current Sony tweet confirming the beginning of filming mentioned the film, which is scheduled for an August 11, 2023, premiere, could be primarily based on the profession of Jann Mardenborough, a British driver who gained a race seat enjoying—you guessed it—”Gran Turismo.” 

Mardenborough was one in all a number of drivers to make the transition from gaming to skilled racing by means of GT Academy, a contest organized by “Gran Turismo” writer Sony Pc Leisure and Nissan. Between 2008 and 2016, GT Academy pitted gamers in opposition to one another for the prospect to turn into a Nissan manufacturing facility driver.

Mardenborough gained the 2011 GT Academy at age 19 and competed within the British GT Championship the next yr. He raced on the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2013, ending third within the LMP2 class behind fellow GT Academy graduate Lucas Ordoñez.

Regardless of a 2015 Nürburgring crash that killed a spectator, Mardenborough returned to Le Mans that yr, competing within the high LMP1 class within the ill-fated Nissan GT-R LM Nismo. Whereas it featured a novel front-engine design that accommodated downforce-generating ducts within the bodywork, a rushed growth program meant the automotive was uncompetitive and unreliable. Le Mans 2015 was its solely race, with Mardenborough and co-drivers Max Chilton and Olivier Pla failing to complete.

That unlucky Le Mans look has been Mardenborough’s most high-profile profession second to this point. He subsequently raced within the Japanese Tremendous Method and Tremendous GT sequence. The Race reported in January 2021 that he was searching for a brand new producer sponsor. Whereas issues seem to have stalled out for Mardenborough, his rise from teenage gamer to Le Mans competitor undoubtedly appears Hollywood-worthy.