Michael Laverty: MotoGP or BSB in 2014?

Michael Laverty is still unsure whether he will be lining up against Marc Marquez or Shane Byrne in 2014.

The Irishman’s racing future remains shrouded in uncertainty while he waits to learn whether current MotoGP boss Paul Bird will continue with his world championship squad next season.

Laverty raced Bird’s British designed and built PBM frame for the majority of his debut season in MotoGP. The PBM frame used an Aprilia ART motor, while Bird also ran one complete ART package, which Laverty raced when Yonny Hernandez left to replace Ben Spies in the Pramac Ducati squad for the final five races.

Bird has been negotiating with Aprilia about becoming the Noale factory’s number one ART squad in 2014 after the Spanish-based Aspar outfit made a late switch to Honda’s new production RCV1000R racer.

Bird met new Aprilia boss Romano Albesiano during the final round of the season in Valencia but an agreement didn’t seem close, with the British-based millionaire threatening to quit MotoGP unless Aprilia significantly increased its support for 2014.

Aprilia has been keen for a proven MotoGP talent to lead Bird’s squad next season, but hopes Randy de Puniet might fill that role have vanished after he tested the new ART in Valencia for PBM.

The Frenchman has decided to dedicate his time to developing Suzuki’s new 1000cc project next year, throwing Aprilia’s commitment to MotoGP even further in doubt.

Laverty is hoping he can remain in MotoGP with PBM. But he’s been given assurances by Bird that if a deal doesn’t materialise, he will be offered a seat in British Superbikes.

Bird plans to run Byrne and Stuart Easton in 2014 but he has vowed not to leave Laverty, who is a proven race winner in BSB, high and dry.

Speaking to MCN in Valencia last week, Laverty said: “I want to be back in MotoGP and I think Paul wants to be back. He got frustrated in the second half of the season with no progress and kind of thought we need a manufacturer to support and help us otherwise there is no point in doing it. He’s pushing Aprilia hard but he did say that if the Aprilia deal didn’t come off and he pulled the plug he would sort me a good ride in BSB and not see me stuck. If it all falls apart then he will look after me and I am just waiting. It has been a tough year doing it all ourselves with the bike and learning the ropes, so it would be a shame to walk away. But we definitely need more support and if Aprilia decide to can it and don’t develop the engine, I am not sure if we could get another engine because what we need is horsepower.”