Jann Mardenborough to make one-off British GT return with RJN at Silverstone

Jann Mardenborough will join Team RJN at the Silverstone 500 on April 27/28 when he partners Chris Buncombe in the team’s second McLaren 720S GT3 Evo.

The Englishman’s journey from gamer to real-world Nissan factory driver via GT Academy success was documented by the recent Gran Turismo movie in which Mardenborough – played by Archie Madekwe – battles for a once in a lifetime contract and Le Mans 24 Hours drive.

However, the film does not make reference to his first real-world racing season in 2012 when Mardenborough contested British GT with RJN. Together, they claimed one victory – which remains the closest winning margin is series history – and two further podiums en route to sixth overall.

Mardenborough now returns for this one-off to the same team where he partners Buncombe’s brother, Chris, while Al will be on the other side of the garage with his regular co-driver Simon Watts who was forced to skip Oulton.

“2012 was my first full season of racing, which happened to be in British GT. To return for a one-off in the Silverstone 500 endurance round, I’m looking forward to it as 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” said Mardenborough, who has spent the majority of his professional career contesting Japan’s Super GT championship.

“To do battle against them paired with Chris and RJN, our intent is to win, and we’ve been preparing on and off track to direct ourselves to that vision.”

“RJN and Bob Neville helped mould me into the driver and, more importantly the person I am today. To be working with them again, I find very fitting; we will give our all.”

Chris Buncombe, who subbed for Watts last time out at Oulton, added: “I’ve known Jann from when he first made the step from virtual racing into the world of real racing alongside my brother at Team RJN so it’s a lovely story that this has now come full circle and we will be sharing a car together. Oulton was the first time in almost four years that I’d been in a race car so I plan to get familiar as quickly as possible and do the best job I can for the team and everyone involved in making this possible.”

Mardenborough’s British GT appearance is part of a potential wider programme for 2024 in preparation for full-time racing in 2025, details of which will be confirmed in due course.

Meanwhile, further Silverstone 500 entries will be revealed in the coming weeks.