Britain’s Bradley Smith is back in the frame for a full-time MotoGP after being confirmed as Andrea Iannone’s replacement for however long the Italian is banned.

Aprilia chief Massimo Rivola will put Smith on Iannone’s bike for 2020 and said there is no reason that, if he is fast enough, he can’t stay on it for 2021.

He now has some very good opportunities to demonstrate his speed to us. Last year, Bradley was in ‘test rider’ mode on his wildcard races,” said Rivola.

“However, we are confident that if he becomes a regular driver and can handle more races, he will improve. As a racing driver you have to flip a switch in your brain again. I expect Bradley to find this switch and be competitive.”

It would appear that Aprilia have lost the chance to sign Danilo Petrucci as all the signs are the Italian has wandered off in the direction of Austria but both Smith and former team-mate Cal Crutchlow are available next year.

Rivola was talking to the stout chaps at speedweek.com