The future of Bradley Smith in MotoGP seemed to be at an impasse until the Silverstone round. Unlike the sky of his British Grand Prix, the Englishman's future became clearer following a meeting with Aprilia's men. A deal appears to be on track for a test pilot position. And for good reason: both of them have no other choice!
On the one hand, an Aprilia factory which does not make you dream but which still has its dignity. So much so that its current pilot Scott Redding who has made rather harsh remarks about the RS-GP will not be able to continue to rub shoulders with it during tests. Noale's managers took little notice of his sweeping statements on the general situation of the team entered in MotoGP this year...
On the other one Bradley Smith who has known for a while now that he will no longer be a regular KTM rider, that he will have to give up his place to Johann zarco and that the Mattighofen brand is no longer keen to continue with him for tests. What's more, among the orange tunics, doing tests is not synonymous with guaranteeing a Grand Prix as a guest. Finally, at Yamaha , we assured that the future pilot of the next European test structure would not speak in the language of Shakespeare.
Two unsolved destinies that could only meet. This was done in the rain at Silverstone. And it's still Smith who talks about it best Motoracing : " until the Austrian meeting, we only thought of KTM and Yamaha. But Aprilia came to speak to me on Saturday at Silverstone. We also had a meeting on Sunday and they showed great interest. Also, on Saturday Lin Jarvis said there would be no British rider as a Yamaha tester, so I got an answer. So I don't have many options. Now we have to sort out some aspects, but we plan to sit down at a table in the next 48 hours and come to an agreement ».
A marriage of convenience is coming. And he is dubbed by Alex Espargaro who will have as a teammate Andrea Iannone next year : " he is a very experienced rider, Yamaha brought him to a high level and now with KTM he has improved the bike in the last races. Smith is a young driver, he could still race with an official team, but given the current situation, he no longer has the opportunity. It would be great to have him as a test pilot ».
