Unveiling the True Winner of the Inaugural GT Academy

Gran Turismo may suggest that Jann Mardenborough was the first GT Academy winner, but in reality, it was someone else. The 2023 racing movie by PlayStation Productions is labeled as "based on a true story," but Gran Turismo takes some creative liberties. The movie crafts a relatable story of an underdog gamer with ambitions of becoming a professional racer. Nissan marketing executive Danny Moore (played by Orlando Bloom) also launches the Gran Turismo Academy to promote the idea of pursuing a career as a real race car driver, tapping into the player base of the Gran Turismo game as a potential Nissan market.

The two plotlines converge when Jann Mardenborough (portrayed by Archie Madkwe), the underestimated gamer, receives an invitation to compete in a race to join the GT Academy. Mardenborough defies expectations by winning the race, ultimately realizing his dreams. The film unfolds like a classic underdog tale, akin to Rocky, where an ordinary individual seizes the opportunity to challenge professional athletes. While this storytelling format fits well for a sports movie, the Gran Turismo narrative deviates from the actual sequence of events, which involved a few years of the academy before Mardenborough's emergence.

Lucas Ordóñez Won The First GT Academy Competition In 2008

Jann Mardenborough Was The Third GT Academy Chamion, Not The First

Lucas Ordonez Gran Turismo Academy Winner - Jann Mardenborough Was The Third GT Academy Chamion, Not The First - Lucas Ordóñez Won The First GT Academy Competition In 2008

Lucas Ordóñez and Jann Mardenborough competed on the same team on multiple occasions

In reality, Jann Mardenborough was actually the third winner of the Gran Turismo Academy, not the first as depicted in the film. The first winner was Lucas Ordóñez, who had some success in professional racing until 2015, with his highest achievement being 2nd place in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2011. Later on, both Ordóñez and Mardenborough competed together on the 2013 Nissan team at Le Mans, as shown in the movie.

Contrary to what is shown in Gran Turismo, the Nissan team did not win the race but instead finished in 3rd place. Lucas Ordóñez and Jann Mardenborough have been teammates on several occasions, similar to the fictional representation in the film where GT Academy racers race with Jann at Le Mans. The 2012 Dubai 24 Hours event featured the Nissan GT Academy team with their first four academy winners, including Lucas Ordóñez, Jann Mardenborough, Bryan Heitkotter, and Jordan Tresson.

Jann Mardenborough: The Third GT Academy Graduate in 2011

In 2011, Jann Mardenborough became the third GT Academy graduate. This event generated excitement in the racing community, as it marked the first all-gamer team in history. Unlike what was portrayed in the film, the GT Academy received praise in real life for their success in developing new racers, with no organized attempt to impede their progress.

The Gran Turismo Movie Took Creative Liberties With The History Of The GT Academy

Gran Turismo Jann Mardenborough True Story Changes - The Gran Turismo Movie Took Creative Liberties With The History Of The GT Academy - Jann Mardenborough Was The Third GT Academy Graduate In 2011

Jann Mardenborough won the Gran Turismo academy in 2011 after Lucas Ordóñez in 2008, a gap year in 2009, and Jordan Tresson in 2010. The film initially planned to follow Ordóñez, but Mardenborough's longer and more successful racing career made him a more suitable target, with his most recent race being in 2023.

The Gran Turismo film took creative liberties with Jann Mardenborough's life by inventing fictional characters to add drama. For example, David Harbour's character, Jack Salter, depicted as the initially pessimistic GT Academy engineer, was not based on a real person.

In addition to Jack Salter, the film's antagonist, Nicholas Capa, and the other GT Academy racers were also entirely fictional. These characters were created to enhance the "dream come true" storyline, where Mardenborough is guided by the perfect mentor and faces off against a comically evil racer in a thrilling race that comes down to the final second.

How Many Drivers Graduated From GT Academy In Real Life

There Have Been 22 GT Academy Graduates (So Far)

Orlando Bloom as Danny Moore in Gran Turismo - There Have Been 22 GT Academy Graduates (So Far) - How Many Drivers Graduated From GT Academy In Real Life

The GT Academy took place from 2008 to 2016. In the beginning, there were only a few graduates. However, as the program gained recognition in the racing community and gamers started winning races, the Academy grew and produced more successful racers. Jann Mardenborough was the standout success story from the GT Academy, as the racers who followed him struggled to make a mark in professional racing. Overall, the GT Academy had a total of 22 graduates.

Editor's P/S:

As a fan of both the Gran Turismo franchise and racing in general, I found the article to be an intriguing exploration of the creative liberties taken in the movie adaptation of the GT Academy story. While the film's portrayal of Jann Mardenborough's triumph aligns with the underdog narrative often found in sports movies, it deviates from the actual sequence of events. Lucas Ordóñez, not Mardenborough, was the inaugural GT Academy winner, and the Nissan team did not win the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The article highlights the challenges of adapting real-life events into a cinematic format. To craft a compelling narrative, filmmakers often condense timelines, create fictional characters, and dramatize events. While this approach can enhance the entertainment value, it also raises questions about the accuracy and historical integrity of the story. Nonetheless, I appreciate that the article provides a balanced perspective on the film, acknowledging both its engaging storytelling and the creative liberties it takes with the true story behind the GT Academy.