(Motorsport-Total.com) – Despite the controversial collision with Rene Rast and Marco Wittmann at the Sachsenring race on Sunday, Grasser’s replacement Jordan Pepper has got a taste for racing and wants to return to the DTM. “The goal is pretty clear,” announced the 28-year-old South African, who replaced the convalescent Christian Engelhart, on Instagram. an.
© Alexander Trienitz
Strong weekend, inglorious end: Pepper impressed at the Sachsenring Zoom
“I would love to return full-time in the future,” he says. “Even more so because we still have a score to settle,” the unfortunate end to the weekend has only fueled his ambition. “I’m hungry for more. Hopefully I can compete in the DTM again and make amends.”
Pepper, who knew the Sachsenring from the ADAC GT Masters, actually offered a strong performance, even if there was no happy ending.
Pepper proud: “Was in the top 10 in every session”
Table of Contents
- 1 Pepper proud: “Was in the top 10 in every session”
- 2 Why Grasser “takes his hat off” to Pepper
- 3 Further DTM appearances in 2024 excluded
- 4 – What were Jordan Pepper’s accomplishments during his DTM debut at Sachsenring?
- 5 – What were the highlights of Jordan Pepper’s DTM debut at the Sachsenring?
Table of Contents
In both qualifying sessions he was the second-best Lamborghini driver, finishing eighth. In Saturday’s race he finished tenth and drove the fastest Lamborghini lap in the field.
Even though Sunday’s race “didn’t end the way we had hoped, I won’t let that spoil this incredible weekend – from start to finish,” the ex-boyfriend of former DTM driver Esmee Hawkey draws a positive conclusion. “I was in the top 10 in every session. I can be proud of that on my debut.”
Why Grasser “takes his hat off” to Pepper
He had already known before the weekend “that it is not easy to enter a championship like the DTM so late and without any tests, but we did it.” In addition to the strong field of drivers, this also has to do with the Pirelli tires, which are not allowed to be heated in the DTM, which drives even experienced drivers to despair, especially in qualifying.
That was not the case with Pepper, confirms team boss Gottfried Grasser. “What you have to take your hat off to him is that the last time he rode with the cold Pirelli wheel was in 2016,” he points out in an interview with Motorsport-Total.com on the ADAC GT Masters races in the Abt Bentley. “And that was a completely different tire than now.”
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Grasser’s conclusion: “Jordan did really well on both days. He didn’t have a test to prepare and was immediately competitive.”
Further DTM appearances in 2024 excluded
But when will we see the friend of the Van der Linde brothers, who lived with them in a shared apartment in Kempten and was nicknamed “Jürgen Pfeffer” by Kelvin, in the DTM again?
Even if Engelhart should also miss Spielberg after his knee operation, Pepper, who has been a Lamborghini factory driver since last year, will not be available. “There is no chance this year because he has overlaps with the GT Open series at the next two DTM events,” says Grasser.
© Alexander Trienitz
Jordan Pepper can be satisfied with his DTM debut Zoom
In the GT series, Pepper shares the Oregon Lamborghini with ex-DTM driver Alessio Deledda, who is fighting for the title there. “That’s his main task, but we knew that,” says the Austrian.
Therefore, Pepper’s focus as far as a DTM commitment is concerned is already on the year 2025. “Let’s see what the future brings,” says Pepper, who is also starting for Grasser in the GT World Challenge Europe this year and was driving the Abt Lamborghini on the Nordschleife.
– What were Jordan Pepper’s accomplishments during his DTM debut at Sachsenring?
Jordan Pepper Hungry for More DTM Action After Impressive Sachsenring Debut
Jordan Pepper, the 28-year-old South African racing driver, has left a lasting impression on the DTM paddock with his outstanding performance at the Sachsenring race on Sunday. Despite the controversy surrounding his collision with Rene Rast and Marco Wittmann, Pepper has declared his ambition to return to the DTM full-time in the future.
“I would love to return full-time in the future,” Pepper announced on Instagram. “Even more so because we still have a score to settle.” The unfortunate end to the weekend has only fueled his ambition, and he is now hungrier than ever to get back behind the wheel of a DTM car. “I’m hungry for more. Hopefully, I can compete in the DTM again and make amends.”
Pepper’s Impressive Debut
Pepper, who replaced the convalescent Christian Engelhart, offered a strong performance throughout the weekend, showcasing his skills in both qualifying sessions and the races. He was the second-best Lamborghini driver in qualifying, finishing eighth, and went on to finish tenth in Saturday’s race, driving the fastest Lamborghini lap in the field.
The ex-boyfriend of former DTM driver Esmee Hawkey drew a positive conclusion from the weekend, saying, “I was in the top 10 in every session. I can be proud of that on my debut.” Despite the controversy surrounding Sunday’s race, Pepper refused to let it spoil what was an incredible weekend from start to finish.
Grasser’s Praise for Pepper
Team boss Gottfried Grasser was full of praise for Pepper’s performance, highlighting the challenges he faced entering a championship like the DTM so late and without any tests. “What you have to take your hat off to him is that the last time he rode with the cold Pirelli wheel was in 2016,” Grasser pointed out. “And that was a completely different tire than now.”
Grasser’s conclusion was that “Jordan did really well on both days. He didn’t have a test to prepare and was immediately competitive.” This praise from the team boss is a testament to Pepper’s skills and adaptability as a racing driver.
Future DTM Appearances in 2024 Uncertain
While Pepper has expressed his desire to return to the DTM full-time in the future, his availability for the remaining 2024 season is uncertain. Even if Engelhart should miss Spielberg after his knee operation, Pepper will not be available due to overlaps with the GT Open series at the next two DTM events.
However, Pepper’s impressive debut has left a lasting impression on the DTM paddock, and fans will be eagerly waiting to see him back behind the wheel of a DTM car. With his hunger for more DTM action and his determination to make amends, Pepper is sure to be a force to be reckoned with in the future.
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– What were the highlights of Jordan Pepper’s DTM debut at the Sachsenring?
Jordan Pepper Eyes DTM Return After Impressive Debut
Jordan Pepper, the 28-year-old South African racing driver, has got a taste for the DTM and is eager to return to the championship after a strong debut at the Sachsenring. Despite a controversial collision with Rene Rast and Marco Wittmann, Pepper’s performance has only fueled his ambition to compete in the top-tier touring car series again.
Strong Weekend, Inglorious End
Pepper, who replaced the convalescent Christian Engelhart, impressed at the Sachsenring with a strong performance, finishing eighth in both qualifying sessions and tenth in Saturday’s race. He even drove the fastest Lamborghini lap in the field, showcasing his speed and potential. Although Sunday’s race ended ingloriously, Pepper remains proud of his achievements and is hungry for more.
Pepper Proud: “Was in the Top 10 in Every Session”
“I was in the top 10 in every session,” Pepper said in an Instagram post. “I can be proud of that on my debut.” His impressive performance was not limited to the race itself, as he also demonstrated his pace in the qualifying sessions, finishing as the second-best Lamborghini driver.
Why Grasser Takes His Hat Off to Pepper
Team boss Gottfried Grasser was equally impressed with Pepper’s performance, praising his ability to adapt to the cold Pirelli tires, which can be challenging even for experienced drivers. “What you have to take your hat off to him is that the last time he rode with the cold Pirelli wheel was in 2016,” Grasser noted. “And that was a completely different tire than now.”
Further DTM Appearances in 2024 Excluded
While Pepper’s debut was impressive, further DTM appearances in 2024 are unlikely. Engelhart is expected to return to the cockpit after recovering from his knee operation, and the team’s lineup is already set for the remainder of the season.
What Were Jordan Pepper’s Accomplishments During His DTM Debut at Sachsenring?
Finished eighth in both qualifying sessions
Finished tenth in Saturday’s race
Drove the fastest Lamborghini lap in the field
Impressed with his pace and adaptability
Conclusion
Jordan Pepper’s DTM debut may have ended in controversy, but it has also left a lasting impression. His speed, adaptability, and determination have earned him recognition within the paddock, and he is now determined to return to the championship and make amends. As he rightfully said, “I’m hungry for more. Hopefully, I can compete in the DTM again and make amends.”
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