GTE-PRO

AF Corse — After being the dominant force this season, AF Corse is set to return with a two-car Ferrari F458 Italia attack in the premier GT category. The Italian squad’s line of successful drivers - Giancarlo Fisichella, Gianmaria Bruni, Olivier Beretta, Andrea Bertolini and Toni Vilander - are likely to feature again, in what could be a near mirror-image to its championship-winning program in 2012.

AF Corse heads into GTE-Pro as class favorites yet again. (Photo: John Dagys)

Aston Martin Racing — The factory Prodrive organization could expand to a two-car assault next year, and potentially four Vantage V8s spread between the two categories. It would no doubt give a much-needed boost to GTE, which has struggled to achieve an acceptable car count this year. Expect to see Darren Turner and Stefan Mucke return, possibly joined by other quick shoes in the second car if it develops.

Team Felbermayr-Proton — Porsche’s elimination of its factory supported teams will appear to have a drastic effect on the German manufacturers’ WEC involvement. Team Felbermayr-Proton, its flagship European entrant for the better part of the last decade, is unlikely to return to the GTE-Pro ranks, while questions surround the German team’s participation in the WEC altogether for next year. Stay tuned.

Manthey — If Porsche is downsizing its factory involvement, then why would Manthey, its other development partner team, step up to WEC? It would be to launch the new 991-model car, which is slated to roll out next year. The VLN and GT Open squad appears to have been tabbed to run the new-generation 911 GT3 RSR, and all indications are that it could potentially include a handful of races in the WEC. Again, stay tuned.

McLaren — Long rumored to enter the GTE ranks, all indications are that McLaren’s MP4-12C could make an appearance next year, potentially as early as Le Mans. It’s unclear if the British sports car would be run by a full factory team or a semi-works outfit. While no official announcement has been made, a partial-season WEC program could be in the cards.

Corvette — Another rumored manufacturer to be stepping up its GT presence, there have been whispers of a Corvette C6.R making its way to GTE-Pro full-time next year. Whether it’s with 2012 GTE-Am class champions Larbre Competition, or a new team, remains to be seen.

Likely Entries: 4
Possible Additional Entries: 2-3

GTE-Am

Larbre Competition — While having a far-from-perfect 2012 season, the veteran French squad took home the GTE-Am title and are poised to be back for more, with at least one Corvette C6.R in class. The possibility of a second Pratt & Miller-built beast likely depends on the team’s potential look to fielding a GTE-Pro-class Corvette.

AF Corse/Waltrip — AF Corse is on track to become the largest team in the WEC paddock, with the possibility of two GTE-Am Ferraris to go with its pair of Prancing Horses in GTE-Pro and LMP2 car run under the Pecom Racing Banner. The Italian squad already has one 458 confirmed in the class.

Krohn Racing — All indications are that American stalwarts Krohn Racing will return with its Ferrari for the third consecutive year with the unchanged lineup of Tracy Krohn, Nic Jonsson and Michele Rugolo. Talks continues of a possible second entry, with the Jeff Hazell-led organization more than willing to assist with fellow Americans’ WEC efforts.

Team Felbermayr-Proton — While the team’s GTE-Pro entry appears to be in jeopardy, Team Felbermayr-Proton could still be represented on the WEC grid with its GTE-Am Porsche. Details, however, remain unclear at this point and whether the Christian Ried-owned organization may instead be looking to go back to its roots in the ELMS for next year.

Aston Martin Racing — After running a pair of Vantage V8s for customer teams at Silverstone, AMR is looking to apply the same model for the entire WEC next year. Prospects are positive for the manufacturer to achieve this, especially considering the car’s strength during the second half of the season (in GTE-Pro).

Likely Entries: 5
Possible Additional Entries: 2-4

CLASS-WIDE TOTAL:
Likely Entries: 29
Possible Additional Entries: 12-20

SPEED.COM’S PREDICTED 2013 ENTRY: 34

John Dagys is SPEED.com’s Sportscar Racing Reporter, focusing on all major domestic and international championships. You can follow him on Twitter @johndagys or email him at