Nissan Is Using Gamers In Its Revolutionary FWD Le Mans Programme

There’s been a lot of buzz around Nissan’s Le Mans project. It’s taking on the big boys in the FIA World Endurance Championship, which includes the Le Mans 24 Hours race, using a front-engined, predominantly front-wheel drive car. Furthering its commitment to being successful in the face of tradition, Nissan has announced that two of the drivers of the GT-R LM Nismo will be former GT Academy winners.

23-year-old British driver Jann Mardenborough and 29-year-old Spaniard Lucas Ordonez won the competition (in 2011 and 2008 respectively) which pits the world’s fastest Gran Turismo racers against each other to find undiscovered driving talent. Mardenborough has proved successful in GP3, while Ordonez already has a Le Mans podium to his name.

We’re fascinated by whether Nissan can be successful after ripping up the rule book with the GT-R LM Nismo, and the continued success of the GT Academy prospects is a refreshing reminder that there’s another route to top-tier motorsport than having rich parents. The WEC season begins at Silverstone on 12 April.