Pepper Secures Full-Time Seat With Grasser

Jordan Pepper will step into DTM full-time with GRT Grasser Racing Team this year, staying on with the team after a guest appearance at the Sachsenring last year.

The South African will pilot one of two Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2s entered by the Gottfried Grasser-led stable, with two-time race winner Luca Engstler set for driving duties in the second car.

The two cars will be entered under the TGI Lamborghini Team by GRT banner, reflecting backing from Liechtenstein-based gold trading firm TGI AG.

Pepper made his DTM debut at the Sachsenring last year as the team rotated its driver lineup in the second car amidst Christian Engelhart’s recovery from knee surgery.

He secured a top-ten finish in his first race start, but was then eliminated from the second contest after getting caught up in a multi-car incident that also involved Rene Rast and Marco Wittmann.

Last year, Pepper also drove for Grasser in GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup, most notably ending Lamborghini’s win drought in the series with a victory at the Nurburgring round in July.

“I’m extremely proud to be able to contest the entire DTM season with the TGI Lamborghini Team by GRT,” said Pepper.

“It’s a dream come true for me! I would like to thank Gottfried Grasser, his entire team, all partners and sponsors and of course Lamborghini Squadra Corse for this opportunity.

“Last year, I was able to get a small taste of what it’s like during my guest start and knew from that moment that I would do everything I could to become a regular driver in the DTM.

“I am now very motivated and can hardly wait for the season to start in Oschersleben.”

Grasser is set to head into its fourth full season in DTM, having claimed three race victories, eight podiums and a single pole position since its debut in 2022.

“I am immensely pleased that we are able to start our fourth year in the DTM,” said team principal Gottfried Grasser.

“With Luca and Jordan, we are in a great position on the driver side. It is the first time that we are contesting the full DTM season with two Lamborghini factory drivers.

“Luca proved how strong he is with his two victories last year, and the same applies to Jordan, who impressed us in the GT World Challenge and in his guest appearance at the Sachsenring.

“With our strong overall package, I definitely expect us to regularly finish in the top five – we’ll gladly accept more. I think every DTM competitor wakes up in the morning and wants to be champion.

“But for now, we are focusing on the first six races, we want to collect good and solid points there and then we’ll see what happens.”