Marco Bezzecchi
Jorge Martin had to stay in a Qatari hospital for a week after his serious accident in Lusail. The MotoGP world champion suffered 11 rib fractures and a collapsed lung.
The fall itself was innocuous, and Martin would likely have been preparing for his home race in Jerez had Fabio di Giannantonio not been right behind him. The VR46 rider was helpless to avoid contact with the stricken Spaniard, which is why his injuries were so severe.
Lorenzo Savadori will once again replace Martin, having appeared in the first three races while the former Pramac rider recovered from surgery in late February. He faces an even longer period out of action this time.
In the immediate aftermath, he was simply thankful to escape the accident. Close friend Aleix Espargaro is heartbroken for Martin and believes the psychological impact could be even greater than the physical repercussions.
Jorge Martin could finally be set to fly home from Qatar – here’s what happens next
When Motorsport Espana asked when Martin could return to Europe, ‘medical sources’ replied ‘Thursday or Friday of this week’. That’s a significant step in his recovery.
The 27-year-old requires clearance to fly because he wasn’t initially in a fit state. After he boards the chartered plane, his team of doctors will be able to offer a more accurate prognosis.
The initial theory is that he’ll be out for two to three months. The final race before the summer break is the Czech Grand Prix on 20 July, but Martin may choose to wait for extra recovery time.
The best-case scenario is that he only misses the next five races, which could see him return for the Dutch TT on 29 June. However, Marc Marquez has urged Martin not to make any rash decisions, having faced injury hell himself.
Race-winning Formula 1 driver gets in touch with Jorge Martin after recovery update
Martin showed immense toughness by returning in Qatar, well before he was initially forecast. On that basis, it would be naive to rule him out until August.
But Martin has already had trouble with his ribs this year, and Aprilia must be careful. They can’t let the consequences bleed over into 2026.
The motorsport community have rallied behind the eight-time premier-class winner in the last week and a half. Williams F1 driver and fellow Spaniard Carlos Sainz wished Martin the best on social media.
Elsewhere, Pramac are still without Miguel Oliveira, who will be replaced by Augusto Fernandez for a third successive weekend after he was injured in Argentina. There still hasn’t been a race with all 22 full-time riders in 2025.
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