Jordan Pepper’s path to becoming a factory Lamborghini driver, a full-time DTM driver, and Spa 24 Hours winner has been anything but straightforward. From leaving South Africa as a teenager to chasing glory in Europe, his career embodies resilience, sacrifice, and a sharp eye for opportunity.
From South Africa to Europe
Motorsport was always a part of Jordan Pepper’s life, and from an early age his ambitions stretched far beyond his home country. Speaking exclusively to Pit Debrief, he was asked why he chose to pursue GT racing. He explained that the financial and logistical hurdles made the road to Formula 1 even more daunting than usual.
“Yeah, from my side, quite clear. I mean, coming from South Africa, it was already a tough challenge to make it and have the goal of being a professional racing driver was already, let’s say, going to be difficult considering the lack of financial support out of South Africa, etc. So, the one in a million chance that most people have when you aim at F1 felt a little bit even harder for me.”
Choosing GT racing
With single-seaters out of reach, Pepper turned to GT racing, where professional opportunities were beginning to expand. He took the bold step of relocating to Europe at just 17, chasing a career that at least seemed within reach.
“So, trying to make a professional career in endurance racing then becomes a one in 100,000 chance. So, still a lot all to play for, risked a lot, moved over at 17, gave up everything in that sense, but it was the right timing, the GT took a big boom, I think the series year-on-year has become more professional.”
The decision proved wise. Pepper claimed the Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup title in 2014, made his mark in GT3 machinery soon after, and eventually established himself at the very top of GT competition.
A competitive platform
Pepper is adamant that GT racing should not be seen as a fallback for drivers who don’t make it to Formula 1, but as a fiercely competitive arena in its own right.
“The amount of different calibre drivers that currently race at the highest level in GT, when you look back at their career paths, obviously, so many guys deserve their shot at F1, but the timing obviously wasn’t the right thing. For me, obviously, it was a bit different, I didn’t really sit in a single seat, so really never had that trajectory. But at the same time, there’s so many great racers, there’s so many great opportunities in GT that I still have as a career goal to win.”
He highlighted the intensity of the competition and the crucial involvement of major manufacturers, which make GT3 and endurance racing a world-class proving ground.
“I find the platform extremely competitive, the manufacturer involvement is extremely high and I think it’s in a great place in endurance racing as a whole, obviously. Right now, hypercars are the pinnacle, that’s obviously still a goal of mine to be full-time in that and fight for World Championship at the top level, but I’m also not unhappy where I am right now.”
Spa triumph and future goals
Pepper has already delivered on one of his long-held ambitions: victory in a major 24-hour race. Alongside Mirko Bortolotti and Luca Engstler, he claimed the 2025 CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa – one of the most prestigious and gruelling GT races in the world.
“I’m very pleased, very happy to finally get a 24-hour win under my belt, like Spa being one of the most toughest, hardest, gruelling 24-hour races, obviously the biggest GT race. Definitely don’t look down on it at all, I think GT is something that the worldwide of motorsport is taking it seriously and at a really high level of drivers and teams, manufacturers, so very happy to be here.”
A career on the rise
Now a regular competitor in both DTM and GT World Challenge Europe, Jordan Pepper continues to build his reputation as one of South Africa’s most successful racing drivers. With Spa already ticked off, his sights are set on the next big target: a seat in the World Endurance Championship’s hypercar, the current pinnacle of endurance racing.
His first full DTM season has also been a major success so far. After the previous round at the Red Bull Ring, he sits second in the championship, underlining just how quickly he has adapted to one of the toughest closed-cockpit series in the world.
And if his journey so far is any indication, Pepper has the talent and determination to make that next step.
