Unbelievable Transformation: Gran Turismo's Le Mans Race Defies Gravity with Unexpected Water Encounter!
Gran Turismo's Le Mans race poses extreme challenges with its perilous track, pushing drivers to their limits Witness the heart-stopping moments as cars defy gravity and transform into boats, creating a dangerous spectacle unlike any other
The article contains spoilers for Gran Turismo's ending.
Summary
Jann Mardenborough discusses the obstacles faced while shooting the Le Mans race scene in Gran Turismo, such as limited visibility and the struggles in car control.
While the film depicts Jann and his team securing the third position in their category at the Le Mans race, there are slight deviations from the actual events.
Experienced drivers encountered difficulties during the filming process of Gran Turismo, making it unclear how much of the Le Mans scenes featured the real Mardenborough. However, the real Jann Mardenborough himself sheds light on why filming the Le Mans race for Gran Turismo was particularly perilous. This movie, which is based on PlayStation's popular video game franchise, depicts Mardenborough's real-life journey to becoming a professional driver. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, audiences have applauded the biopic's thrilling action sequences and Mardenborough's contribution to the project. Alongside Archie Madekwe, who portrays Mardenborough on-screen, the Gran Turismo cast features notable actors such as David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, Darren Barnet, and Djimon Hounsou.
During the recent Gran Turismo World Series Showdown, GTPlanet reported that Mardenborough discussed the challenges of recreating the Le Mans race in the biopic. He explained that the rain at the Slovakiaring, where filming took place, affected his visibility and made driving difficult. Mardenborough also mentioned the darkness of the track, stating that the car would suddenly feel like a boat with no control. Below are Mardenborough's comments about the Le Mans sequence:
"We were driving in the opposite direction at Slovakiaring. The circuit had these large water towers. When driving an LMP car, they don't handle well in wet conditions and behave like a boat. The circuit had freshly painted white lines that weren't fully dry yet."
As the water made contact with the track, it became infused with the paint, creating an unfavorable situation. The problem extended beyond the presence of water on the windshield, as it was mixed with white paint. Additionally, we had auxiliary lights positioned around the circuit for illumination purposes. However, due to the blinding glare, we had to tape up our headlights.
Consequently, we found ourselves driving in darkness without a clear view, with paint obstructing our windshield. Moreover, we were navigating a circuit that was unfamiliar to most people, amidst water cannons and towers. These elements caused our vehicle to unexpectedly transform into a boat, leaving us without any control.
That was the hardest part of the whole shoot. Probably the most fun as well, really!”
What Happens During Gran Turismo's Le Mans Race?
Jann participated in the Le Mans race alongside two other GT Academy drivers, Matty Davis (Barnet) and Antonio Cruz (Pepe Barroso), hoping to secure a place in the top three. The race lasted 24 hours, requiring each team member to take turns driving. However, Jann's confidence was shaken by a sudden crash during his first stint, which reminded him of the tragic Nürburgring Nordschleife accident he had been involved in before. Despite this, he managed to complete his first round. Another challenge awaited him when he had to drive at night, and although it was a brief sequence, Mardenborough's comments shed light on the amount of effort put into filming it.
In the conclusion of Gran Turismo, Jann and his team successfully achieved their objective by securing third place in their division. However, the movie diverges slightly from the true story of the Le Mans race, as it portrays both drivers as coming from the GT Academy and leaves uncertainty about Jann's finishing time. Despite this discrepancy, the intense sequence of events during the final competition likely left many viewers eagerly awaiting the outcome.
The process of filming Gran Turismo is fascinating, especially considering the challenges faced by experienced drivers like Mardenborough during production. The last race, in particular, seemed to present numerous obstacles, in addition to unfavorable weather conditions. It is worth pondering the extent of Mardenborough's involvement in the Le Mans scenes, considering his reported role as a stunt double, and whether he will make a comeback in a potential sequel to Gran Turismo.
Source: GTPlanet
