Available to book
Jann Mardenborough
Resilience
Dealing With Pressure
Storytelling
Transform gaming skills into racing excellence with Jann Mardenborough, speaker and professional racing driver. Jann works with organisations to showcase unconventional career paths and resilience, delivering inspirational insights as a Nissan and McLaren Formula E development driver.
Motorsport
Gen Z
Influencer
Inspirational
Formula One
Jann Mardenborough’s remarkable journey from gamer to professional racing driver is one of the most extraordinary stories in motorsport. Growing up in Cardiff, Wales, Jann developed a passion for racing through video games, particularly the Gran Turismo series. Without a formal background in motorsport, his path to the racetrack seemed unlikely. However, everything changed at the age of 19 when he took a leap of faith and entered the 2011 GT Academy. Competing against 90,000 other hopefuls, he emerged victorious, earning a professional racing contract with Nissan and launching an elite racing career.
In 2012, Jann debuted at the Dubai 24 Hours, where he secured a commendable third place in his class, proving that his talent extended far beyond the virtual world. He quickly progressed, competing in the British GT3 series and achieving race victories while making a splash in Japanese Formula 3 with several pole positions and podium finishes. By 2013, he participated in the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, finishing third in the LMP2 class. His rapid ascent and adaptability earned him respect on the international racing stage, allowing him to make significant contributions to Japan’s highly competitive Super GT and Super Formula series.
However, Jann's journey hasn't been without its challenges. One of the most difficult experiences occurred in 2015 at the Nürburgring during a GT3 race when a tragic accident resulted in a spectator's death. Although Jann emerged physically unscathed, the incident profoundly impacted him, marking a pivotal moment in his life and career.
Jann has been a simulator and development driver for Nissan and the McLaren Formula E teams outside of racing. He also mentors aspiring drivers, blending his digital expertise with his innate racing talent. As a keynote speaker, Jann will inspire and engage with all generations, demonstrating that even the most unconventional paths can lead to extraordinary destinations. Contact PepTalk for Jann's speaking availability and fees.
Topics, sessions and talks
Jann Mardenborough’s journey from gamer to professional race driver is an extraordinary story of talent, resilience, and innovation. Through candid insights and captivating anecdotes, Jann explores his path from virtual tracks to world-renowned racing circuits, overcoming unexpected challenges along the way. Known for his grounded yet dynamic style, he offers audiences a unique look at what it truly takes to excel in competitive motorsport, providing attendees with valuable lessons on perseverance, adaptability, and pursuing unconventional dreams.
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frequently asked questions
Something we've not covered here?
Email jann.mardenborough@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm Jann's availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
Jann Mardenborough structures his sessions around first-person narrative, tracing his progression from competitive video gaming through the GT Academy selection process to professional motorsport, using specific race events and career milestones as anchoring points throughout.
Jann Mardenborough speaks on the transition from virtual to professional motorsport, resilience in the face of adversity, and pursuing unconventional career paths. He won the 2011 GT Academy from a field of 90,000 entrants, subsequently competing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and finishing third in the LMP2 class.
No. PepTalk adds no booking fee, so you pay the speaker's fee and nothing beyond it. The service, from shortlist through to contracts and event-day logistics, is included. For repeat or multi-event bookings, PepTalk can agree preferential rates with your procurement team.
Share your event date, audience, format, objectives and budget, and PepTalk sends a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours. Each suggestion comes with a profile, a fee and a recommendation on the strongest fit. Once you choose, PepTalk handles contracts, travel and logistics through to event day.
The typical fee range is the speaker's standard in-person fee in their home market, shown in their local currency. It moves with format, location, date and session length: virtual sessions and shorter slots usually cost less, while international travel and peak dates cost more. Send your brief to PepTalk and the team will confirm the exact fee in your currency.
Not all of them, and it makes no difference to your booking. PepTalk's network of 15,000+ speakers covers talent the team works with directly alongside speakers represented by agents and agencies worldwide. PepTalk approaches the speaker, negotiates the fee and handles contracting either way.
Three to six months ahead is comfortable for most events, and 12 months is better for large conferences, peak-season dates or one specific in-demand speaker. Shorter timelines are workable, and PepTalk regularly fills last-minute and replacement bookings within days. Availability is the constraint, so get in touch as soon as you have a date.
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