2013 still not clear - Bautista

Alvaro Bautista insists his Gresini Honda future is still not 'clear', despite recent events appearing to move a new contract further in his favour.

The Spaniard took his first ever MotoGP podium last time out at Misano - in the Gresini team's home event - then Jonathan Rea, tipped as a possible rival for Bautista's ride, re-signed with Honda in World Superbikes.

But Bautista claims nothing has yet been decided.

"The podium in Misano helped, but at the moment I can't say anything about next year. Nothing is clear,” said Bautista on Thursday afternoon at Aragon.

On track, Bautista is hoping further suspension developments will keep him in the podium fight.

“In Misano we didn't have time to test all the new parts from Showa, so we hope that the weather is okay this weekend.

“We will try to stay at the same level as at Misano and fight for the podium again.”

Bautista starts this weekend's 14th round having moved back ahead of fellow satellite RC213V rider Stefan Bradl for seventh in the championship.

Cal Crutchlow, Valentino Rossi, Bautista and Bradl are presently covered by just seven points in a close contest for fifth.

Bautista's RCV is now the only manufacturer MotoGP ride still to be decided for 2013.