Pepper: “It Takes Time” to Get Up to Speed with BMW

New BMW factory driver Jordan Pepper says it will take time for him to adjust to the M4 GT3 EVO, acknowledging that “it’s not like you hop in and you’re going to be the reference [point]” straight away.

Pepper departed Lamborghini at the end of last year following three seasons during which he finished runner-up in both the Endurance and Sprint Cup contests of the GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS.

He will now contest a program of GT3 races with BMW, starting with the Michelin 24H Dubai this weekend with Team WRT – an event he will use to help him get used to his new surroundings.

“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 admitted to Sportscar365.

“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.

“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.

“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.”

Those drivers include his fellow South Africans Kelvin and Sheldon van der Linde – with Pepper saying he “could pick his brain day and night all the way through the winter” of his “good buddy” Kelvin.

Pepper admitted he initially “underestimated” the level of competition for his maiden BMW outing in the Dubai contest, but thinks it is a good chance to learn more about the team and car.

“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.”

Pepper is relishing the chance to be part of BMW’s factory lineup and intends to be with the German manufacturer for the long haul, having also previously represented Bentley.

“When BMW approached me, it was very attractive,” he added. “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.

“The biggest reason for my change was really focusing on my long-term future, really committing long term.

“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’s main programs for 2026 have yet to be announced – although he does have the Bathurst 12 Hour in February as his next planned outing – but said “it’s no secret” he would like to continue racing in the DTM.