2011 GT Academy champion Jann Mardenborough is headed back to the track, reuniting with Team RJN to compete in the Silverstone 500 on April 27/28 behind the wheel of a McLaren 720S GT3 Evo.
It’s an exciting homecoming for Mardenborough, who returns to compete in England after spending most of his racing career in Japan.
As anyone who watched the Gran Turismo movie knows, Silverstone was the original starting line for Jann’s career as a professional racing driver. It was the place he was crowned as GT Academy champion nearly 13 years ago.
After winning that competition, Mardenborough joined Team RJN to drive in the 2012 British GT series with Alex Buncombe. The pair were successful and had a shot at the championship, even bringing home a dramatic race win (the closest in British GT history!) at Brands Hatch.
It was the first of many successes for Mardenborough, who would go on to race at Le Mans and in other high-profile events and series around the world.
Now, this year, Mardenborough is partnering with Alex’s brother, Chris Buncombe, to compete in the Silverstone 500.
“2012 was my first full season of racing, which happened to be in British GT,” Mardenborough sad. “I’m looking forward to returning for a one-off in the Silverstone 500 endurance round. Since my time away racing abroad in Japan and other places I’m pleased to see the championship expand and grow with more top drivers and teams in both GT3 and GT4.
“RJN and Bob Neville helped mould me into the driver and, more importantly, the person I am today. I find it very fitting to be working with them again. We will give our all,” he continued.
Just as it was over a decade ago, British GT is likely to be a launching pad for the 32-year-old Mardenborough as he looks to restart his racing career. More announcements are expected to come in 2024 as he prepares to return to racing full-time in 2025.
Good luck, Jann!
See more articles on GT Academy and Jann Mardenborough.
