Jordan Pepper has urged realism as he begins his BMW factory career, stressing that instant dominance remains unrealistic when switching manufacturers. While speaking to Sportscar365, the South African GT star made clear that adaptation, not expectation, defines his mindset as he steps into the BMW M4 GT3 EVO, noting that “it’s not like you hop in and you’re going to be the reference [point]” from the outset.
Pepper joined BMW after ending a successful three-year spell with Lamborghini, where he finished runner-up in both the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance and Sprint Cups and crowned that period with victory in the 2025 CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa alongside Luca Engstler and Mirko Bortolotti. Despite that pedigree, he has deliberately reset his own expectations.
Pepper leaves comfort behind to take on new challenge with BMW in 2026
After years of development with Lamborghini, Pepper admitted he no longer enjoys the same instinctive confidence he felt at the end of 2025. He views that loss of familiarity as natural rather than concerning.
“I don’t feel like I’m in the same place I was with the Lambo towards the end of 2025 where I felt with that car I could do anything, but that just takes time,” Pepper explained. “I want to be in that window of all the good guys and that’s where I know I can be, so I’ve got no pressure on myself for that. It’s just not going to happen first race of the year, you have to be realistic.”
Pepper’s transition involves more than new colours and engineers. He has moved from a mid-engined Lamborghini Huracán to BMW’s front-engined, turbocharged M4 GT3 EVO, a shift that demands a fundamental rethink in driving approach.
“If you compare it to a Lambo, it’s very different in the concept of the car. You’re going from a mid-engined car back to a front-engined car, longer wheelbase, turbocharged, so there’s some adaptations,” he explained.
Rather than forcing progress, Pepper has chosen to absorb knowledge from within BMW’s established driver pool.
“I’m really coming in with an open mindset, really being a sponge for as much as I can because the drivers here [at BMW] are world class and they know the car really well.”
Among those drivers sit Kelvin and Sheldon van der Linde, with Kelvin in particular offering a trusted sounding board. Pepper highlighted the value of their long-term friendship during his winter preparations, saying he “could pick his brain day and night all the way through the winter” of his “good buddy” Kelvin.
Dubai as a reality check
Pepper will begin his BMW race mileage at the Michelin 24H Dubai with Team WRT, an event he initially misjudged in terms of competitiveness. He now sees it as an ideal environment to accelerate his learning.
“I see it as a prep race for me to get into the swing of things, also working with WRT for the first time is a great opportunity for me to work with a team I fought against for so many years!” he said. “To join them and see their operation is a great opportunity for me to learn and a good spot to dust the cobwebs off and really get to grips with the car straight into a 24-hour race. I think a lot of seat time and so far, so good.”
BMW an attractive offer as Pepper aims to secure long-term future
Pepper’s decision to leave Lamborghini did not stem from dissatisfaction but from long-term career planning. Having previously raced as a Bentley factory driver, he believes BMW offers both stability and growth.
“When BMW approached me, it was very attractive,” he said. “In the global GT3 market, they’re a brand that’s expanding quite a lot with their customer base and also, on the factory side of things, they’re putting in a lot of effort.”
That ambition aligns closely with his own priorities.
“The biggest reason for my change was really focusing on my long-term future, really committing long term,” Pepper added. “The feeling that I get is that it can hopefully be a home for the rest of my career, which is their goal and my goal as well.”
Pepper has yet to confirm his full 2026 programme, although the Bathurst 12 Hour in February already features on his calendar. He has also reiterated that “it’s no secret” he wants to continue racing in the DTM, where he remains eager to build on recent experience.
For now, Pepper has embraced patience, trusting that consistency and familiarity will eventually bring him back into contention at the very front.
