Aprilia MotoGP boss Massimo Rivola would like to retain Britain's Bradley Smith as a test rider but understands why the Oxfordshire copper-top is unhappy about losing out on the second race seat to Lorenzo Savadori.
Savadori was chosen over Smith for 'reasons that are company reasons' and it now looks like Smith could well concentrate on his fledgling SSP300 team.
"For sure we will have in the future a test rider. I think Bradley did a very good job in the last two years and obviously it would be good to continue with him. But that is not for granted," said. Rivola.
"Obviously he's a racer and he wants to race, but we took another decision for reasons that are company reasons.
"I respect that he is not happy about that. But we are very open to give him the chance to keep doing the job he did and eventually doing some wild-cards, to keep his hot racing spirit let's say.
"Maybe there are alternatives, but we will be happy to continue and be consistent with what we did in the past."