Jann Mardenborough: University dropout firmly on track

Denzil Pinto 08:38 28/08/2014
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • F1 Focus: Jann Mardenborough.

    Great Britain's Jann Mardenborough saw his dream come true in 2011 when he beat 90,000 budding entrants to be crowned the GT Academy winner. The Nissan racing driver spoke to Sport360 at this year's GT Academy Race Camp at Silverstone.

    It’s been three years since you won the GT Academy. How do you look at your time so far?

    It’s life changing. I don’t know what it’s like to finish second or third, but those who have, have had bright futures and gone on to race as well. You learn a huge deal about yourself in this competition and improve as a driver in this GT Academy. My life changed so much – it’s huge

    I feel like I am a professional doing a job. In my first year it was very difficult and I was really caught by the headlights. I was thinking to myself ‘this is really amazing’, and it still is but I realise this is a job for me by promoting Nissan.

    Now I have to work really hard and work the best that I can, and the things outside the track such as talking to the media is part of my job as well. I love doing this because it’s always been a passion of mine to race and something I’ve wanted to do since I was eight. Now it’s been three years, I know what’s needed of me and for me it’s the best job in the world and I am happy to have that.

    What made you enter the GT Academy competition?

    I dropped out of university and took a gap year. So during that time, I entered the GT Academy competition. While all my friends were travelling or studying, I was at home playing Gran Turismo on the PlayStation and decided to enter the competition. Originally, I hadn’t planned to take a gap year, it was just how it worked out.

    Tell us about your time on the track?

    A podium finish was secured at the Dubai 24 Hours in 2012 which was great. And I have also driven at the British GP Championship, Toyota Racing Series and also some GP3 races. I also raced at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (this year), which we should’ve won but we had an issue with the LMP2 car with Oak Rac­ing team and finished fifth.

    You’re still quite young at just 22, have you any plans for the future?

    My team has spoken to me about what we will be doing this and next year, but I know what I want to be doing next year.

    I want to be driving in single seater cars and hoping to race for Nissan with an LMP1, and that is what I want to do. It’s all about whether I have the potential or not and it’s a call that I cannot make alone.

    And your ultimate goal is sitting in a Formula One car?

    Yes, that is the ultimate goal because it is the top-notch form in the sport and you cannot get any higher. But LMP1 is very appealing to me as well. It would be very nice for me to achieve them both.

    Is there any role model you look up to in motorsport?

    I don’t have many, but Lewis Hamilton is one. It’s not so much about the way that he races but the way he acts and behaves outside the race is good.

    He’s very human when he does interviews and wears his heart on his sleeve and answers questions truthfully. That’s one reason why he’s my idol and the reason he’s at the top of his game in a sport which I love as well.

    Is there a lot of training involved being a driver?

    Yes. I have a schedule that I adhere to. I do a lot of cardio work as well as cycling. I also spend a lot of time doing weights that will work-out the whole body.

    I have my own personal trainer who has been a real help to me. It’s really tough at times and I am careful with the kind of food I’m eating as everything has an impact on me, because any extra weight that I do have will slow me down when I’m racing. As long as you train hard, you can eat in moderation what you want but not a lot of it.

    How do you manage your time outside the track?

    I have a business manager and GTA manage all my media and PR work including travel to competitions. This is great because GT Academy and Nissan are linked and they have high-quality staff on board which allows me to concentrate on my racing.

    Recommended