Home/F1

via Imago

via Imago

When Jann Mardenborough first felt the throttle of a racing car in 2011, he wasn’t recalling karting memories, but PlayStation ones. From failing his driving test out of hesitancy to clocking 185mph around Silverstone’s Grand Prix circuit, Mardenborough’s wild journey from gaming chair to racing star is now Hollywood gold in “Gran Turismo.” It appears that the Ginger Spice herself, Geri Halliwell Horner (wife of Christian Horner), has ventured into the world of cinema, and in the most unexpected of roles – as Jann Mardenborough’s on-screen mum, Lesley!

And not just any scene, but a heart-stopping crash scene that saw her reel at the sight of her son nearly meeting his maker. Tissues at the ready, folks! While most of us know Geri for her iconic pop anthems and vivacious stage presence, it turns out she’s also got some serious acting chops. Jann, whose real-life mother was awestruck and beaming with pride, shared, “She loved it. They exchanged phone numbers and chatted frequently. Geri was keen to know my reactions and how I’d act in those situations.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

He continued, “Everyone knows Geri Halliwell, the pop sensation. But her as my mum? It’s as crazy as it sounds! It’s wild, surreal, but in the best possible way.” (as per The Sun)

And how did the pop queen-turned-cinematic mum fare? “She did it perfectly. She nailed it,” lauds Jann. There you have it, folks! Who knew the world of F1 and pop stardom could blend so seamlessly? Just another day at the races… with a dash of girl power!

In a world where the lines between virtual and reality blur daily, Jann Mardenborough’s story is proof of dreams fueled by passion and persistence. And if nothing else, you get to see Ginger Spice play a concerned mum! Talk about spicy plot twists!

Read More: Sony’s Gran Turismo Swifts Unharmed Through the Video Game Adaptation Curse, Garners Almost Double Its Budget in Revenue

While we’re raving about the movie moments and pop-star mums, let’s zoom out for a moment and track Jann’s turbo-charged journey after his GT Academy win.

Where in the world is Jann Mardenborough? Racing, stunts, and more!

Well, Mardenborough’s been quite the journeyman since his GT Academy win, swerving around real tracks in the GP3 Championships, visiting the legendary Le Mans not once, but thrice, and soaking up some Japanese culture while racing in the Super GT championship for five straight years!

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

In a chat with Motorsport.com in May, he teased, “I’ve loved my time in SUPER GT, especially the GT500 car. But I’m itching to try out Hypercar in WEC, maybe IMSA. Honestly, wherever the best races are, count me in.”

But before all that, taking a pit stop from the racetrack, Jann put on his developer hat in 2021 and 2022. Working with Nissan and McLaren, he helped give Formula E cars that extra “vroom!” And speaking of the virtual world, did you catch the latest Gran Turismo film? Our guy Jann wasn’t just racing in it; he was doing his own stunts! Talk about life imitating art.

2023’s been a year of comebacks for Jann. He roared back to the tracks, this time at the Fuji 24 Hours with HELM Motorsports in late May. A bit of nostalgia, as he returned to Japan, where he raced from 2016 to 2020. The cherry on top? A podium finish with third place!

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Watch This Story | F1 Champ Ties the Knot With Playboy Model

His plans might be up in the air, but one thing’s for sure: Jann’s not sticking to one lane. Keep an eye out; this globetrotting racer is bound to pop up somewhere exhilarating!