Laverty "strongly considering" World Superbikes with Aprilia

The Aspar MotoGP rider faces an uncertain future within the Spanish team, as Alvaro Bautista closes on a deal to join the squad - which would force either Laverty or teammate Yonny Hernandez to search for alternative employment.

Laverty - who raced in World Superbikes for four season before moving to MotoGP at the start of 2015 - has previously made little secret of his interest in returning to the production-based series, suggesting he would need a more up-to-date bike to consider staying in Grand Prix racing.

Speaking in Austria, the Irishman gave the strongest hint yet that his immediate future lies outside of MotoGP, as he expressed his frustration with being unable to fight for the top positions on his two-year-old Ducati GP14.2.

He said a potential works comeback for Aprilia, which is reported to have been in talks with Shaun Muir's Milwaukee squad (which currently runs BMW machinery) for a future tie-up, in particular would be an attractive option.

"I'm speaking with Aprilia, because that's a bike I've ridden before," said Laverty, who finished as World Superbike runner-up with the Italian manufacturer in 2013.

"And if they return the factory support there, that could be strong. So that's what I am considering strongly – because I know I can arrive, know the bike and be strong.

"It's a different feeling when you're fighting for ninth compared to first. If you're going on the last lap and fighting for a win, you're gonna put your balls on the line - I've missed that for a couple of years."