Understanding the Gran Turismo Jann Mardenborough Crash Incident

Gran Turismo is a movie based on a true story, but it has sparked some controversy due to its portrayal of the famous Jann Mardenborough crash. The movie shares its name with the popular racing simulator series Gran Turismo, but it is actually inspired by real events from the world of racing. The GT Academy is a program that selects top Gran Turismo players worldwide and trains them to become professional racers. In 2011, Jann Mardenborough won the GT Academy and went on to establish himself as a respected racer.

Jann, played by Archie Madekwe, transitioned from being a Gran Turismo player to competing in the GT Academy, eventually finishing third in the prestigious Le Mans race in 2013. However, a pivotal moment in the movie depicts Jann's struggle to overcome a devastating crash at the Nürburgring Nordschleife while driving a Gran Turismo car. Speeding through the challenging Flugplatz corner, Jann loses control of the vehicle, causing it to flip multiple times before crashing into a section of the track where spectators were gathered. Tragically, one spectator loses their life in the aftermath of the crash, leaving Jann traumatized and hesitant to return to racing.

Jann Mardenborough's Crash & What Happened In Real Life

Geri Halliwell-Horner as Jann's mother and Jann having dinner in Gran Turismo - Jann Mardenborough's Crash & What Happened In Real Life

Jann Mardenborough's car crash in real life closely mirrored the scene depicted in the film. It occurred at Nürburgring Nordschleife, at the same corner, and with the same Nissan GT-R Nismo vehicle. Just like in the movie, the car caught air and cartwheeled over the fence into the crowd, mirroring the real-life events. The actual incident was unexpected and not anyone's fault, with Gran Turismo slightly exaggerating the portrayal.

In the movie, the Nissan GT-R Nismo catches air on the Quiddelbacher Höhe, flips multiple times along the track, and eventually lands in the spectators' area. In reality, the car did not flip until it hit the tires surrounding the fence. When Jann caught air in 2015, the Nissan slid down the track vertically, with its nose pointing towards the sky, thanks to the spoiler scraping against the track to hold the vehicle in place.

The Nissan's rear end hit the tires, launching the car over the fence and into the spectators' area (source: Top Gear Auto Guide).

Impact of Gran Turismo on Jann Mardenborough's Accident

David harbour and Archie Madekwe havign a serious conversation in a pub in Gran Turismo - How Gran Turismo Changes Jann Mardenborough's Accident

In Gran Turismo, a few tweaks were made to Jann Mardenborough's accident for dramatic effect. The game depicts the crash occurring in 2013, when it actually happened in 2015. Following the accident, Jann is inspired to excel at the 24 Hour of Le Mans, where he finishes third in real life. Mentor Jack Salter takes Jann back to the crash site and delivers a moving speech, reassuring the young driver that the incident was not his fault and encouraging him not to give up.

Mardenborough had already achieved third place in Le Mans two years prior to the crash. Despite this, he was still gearing up for the 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans following the incident. While he didn't have the exact conversation with Jack Salter as mentioned, he did seek guidance from Allan McNish, a three-time Le Mans winner who had also experienced a crash in 1990 resulting in a bystander's death. Although the conversation was positive and encouraging, Mardenborough didn't manage to finish Le Mans in 2015.

Why Gran Turismo's Crash Scene Is Controversial

David Harbour as Jack Salter walking on the pit lane in Gran Turismo - Why Gran Turismo's Crash Scene Is Controversial

Some critics find the crash scene in the movie to be insincere and emotionally manipulative. Oli Welsh of Polygon accurately conveys the sentiments of this group:

" The screenplay by Hall and Baylin shifts the timing of the crash to make it a pivotal moment in Mardenborough's journey to the Le Mans podium. However, the actual accident occurred years later, which some critics view as a distasteful manipulation of a tragic event. "

London Evening Standard’s Charlotte O’Sullivan pointed out that suggesting the incident helped propel Jann to greatness is not only false but also reprehensible. After learning the truth about the crash date, the uplifting ending of Gran Turismo may feel a bit unearned, highlighting a larger issue that is becoming more common in entertainment. The spectator who died in real life is central to the storyline of Gran Turismo, yet their name isn't even mentioned.

The deceased individual is simply used as a plot device, which is a trend seen in true-crime shows and documentaries. These productions often exploit real murder victims for sensational and thrilling content, while portraying serial killers as intriguing evil masterminds. As a result of this manipulative storytelling decision, Gran Turismo's Rotten Tomatoes score has been negatively affected, currently standing at a modest 65% (although the audience score is a significantly higher 98%).

Jann Mardenborough, the real person involved in the crash, had good intentions when he allowed it to be included in Gran Turismo. He believed it was important for the audience to see it (via Driving). Although the way the crash was portrayed in the game is problematic, it was a commendable decision from the racer. It is likely that he had no say in how the writers decided to use the incident.

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights the controversy surrounding the depiction of Jann Mardenborough's crash in the movie "Gran Turismo." While the film aims to dramatize the events for emotional impact, critics argue that it exploits a tragic incident for entertainment purposes. The manipulation of the crash's timeline and the omission of the deceased spectator's name raise ethical concerns about the use of real-life tragedies in storytelling.

Personally, I find it problematic when entertainment media sensationalizes real-life events without due regard for the victims and their families. While it's understandable to use true stories as inspiration, it's crucial to handle them with sensitivity and respect. The exploitation of tragedies for dramatic effect can trivialize the suffering of those affected and undermine the authenticity of the narrative. It's important to find a balance between artistic license and ethical storytelling, ensuring that true-life events are treated with the dignity they deserve.