Fillon: Four Cars Needed for GTE-Pro Class in 2023

Photo: WEC

ACO President Pierre Fillon has revealed that a minimum of four cars representing at least two manufacturers will need to commit to the GTE-Pro class next year in order for the category to be included in the FIA World Endurance Championship and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The requirement comes in the wake of an uncertain future for the category in 2023 when both Porsche and Ferrari plan to move its factory efforts to the Hypercar class.

Currently, both Porsche and AF Corse field two cars each in the the production-based class alongside a single full-season entry from Corvette Racing.

When asked by Sportscar365 on the future of the GTE-Pro class, which is eligible through the end of next year, Fillon said they would need at least two manufacturers to commit for the category to go ahead.

Both GTE-Pro and GTE-Am is set to be replaced by a Pro-Am enforced GT3-based category in 2024.

“We need to have a race,” Fillon said regarding GTE-Pro.

Corvette is known to be in favor of keeping the class alive next year but GM Performance and Motorsports Vice President Jim Campbell admitted they could look to field GTE-Am entries at Le Mans to remain on the grid.

“In terms of Corvette, we’re working with Pierre [Fillon] and his team on exactly what’s going to happen in GTE,” Campbell told Sportscar365.

“If it’s only amateur it gives us an option. We’re obviously committed to building a GT3 [car for 2024] and we’re in that process right now.

“We hope to earn an invitation with our sister brand Cadillac in the Hypercar class.

“From our perspective we’ll have a lot of areas of focus at Le Mans in 2023. Cadillac will be in the top class.

“Corvette potentially — we’ll decide what we do — and [the NASCAR] Garage 56 if the invitation comes through it will be a great moment for Chevrolet and our company overall.”

A Porsche spokesperson told Sportscar365 they have no plans to field factory entries in GTE-Pro next year although would be open to supporting customer efforts should there be any interest.

WeatherTech Racing entered a Porsche 911 RSR-19 in the GTE-Pro class at Le Mans in 2021 although that entry has been earmarked for GTE-Am this year.

Other possibilities include customer Ferrari and Aston Martin efforts, with both manufacturers known to have had discussions on privateer GTE-Pro entries in recent years but is unlikely to be for a full season WEC effort.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John