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GT Academy Graduates Rise to Podium

While the GT Academy 2015 online qualifiers approaches its climax, the previous GT Academy graduates are continuing to produce outstanding results in the racing world.

On Sunday 10 May, in the 2nd race of the GP3 series opening round held in conjunction with the F1 Spain Grand Prix, 2011 European champion Jann Mardenborough (Carlin) stood 3rd on the podium. In the qualifiers of the previous day, he was held back in 15th place on the grid due to a red flag, but in the final event he shook off all bad luck and placed 4th in the first race, then achieved this podium finish in the second race.

At the Nürburgring 24 Hours race, held in Germany from 16 May to 17 May, the first European GT Academy champion Lucas Ordóñez, together with Alex Buncombe, Michael Krumm and Kazuki Hoshino, drove the Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 (Car #35) and achieved 9th overall. The private team Schulze Motorsports also participated with the same car (Car #21), with the Schulze brothers, Tobias and Michael, joined by 2010 European GT Academy champion Jordan Tresson and 2013 German GT Academy champion Florian Strauss. However, due to mechanical issues near the end of the race which disabled the car completely, they placed 19th overall in the end with 142 laps.

On the same day on 17 May, at the Canadian Tire Motorsports Park of Ontario, the 2011 North American GT Academy champion Bryan Heitkotter won the GTA class at the Pirelli World Challenge in a Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3.

The All Nippon F3 Championship (Rounds 6/7) was held on 23-24 May at the Okayama International Circuit of Japan. Lucas Ordóñez, who had just flown to Japan from Germany, drove the B-MAX NDDP F3 and showed solid performance. In the 6th race on the 23rd, he succeeded in placing 2nd for his first podium finish in the championship. He had shown good performance at Suzuka and Motegi already, but this podium result proved that his skills are just as effective in formula cars.

On 24 May at the 2nd round of the Blancpain Endurance series held at the Silverstone Circuit (UK), 2014 European GT Academy champion Gaëtan Paletou, International GT Academy champion Ricardo Sanchez and Jann Mardenborough drove the Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 (Car #22) with a 2nd place finish in the Pro-Am class. In the Professional class, 2012 European GT Academy champion Wolfgang Reip, Alex Buncombe and Masakazu Chiyo also participated, but they were held back by strong rivals, placing in 13th place in the end.

The final round of the GT Academy 2015 online qualifiers will be held from 2 June to 19 June. Anyone can start from Round 1 during the whole eligible period, so we invite you to join and take on the challenge! Head over the GT Academy 2015 special page from the related links below to find out the eligible countries and other details.