What Aprilia executives are saying about Jorge Martin ‘disaster’ as 2025 return now uncertain

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Jorge Martin has stunned Aprilia and the world of MotoGP by activating a release clause in his contract. He’s only made one appearance for the team, but already he’s set to leave.

Martin offered to give Aprilia more time to prove their worth. The Noale outfit are bottom of the constructors’ championship, with the factory squad 10th in the teams’ standings.

Massimo Rivola would argue that this is the predictable result of Martin’s absence, with test rider Lorenzo Savadori featuring in five out of six races. But the world champion has clearly been underwhelmed.

Carlo Pernat reckons Martin has received worrying feedback from Marco Bezzecchi, his new teammate. After riding an early version of the bike in the Barcelona test last year, he completed just 14 laps in Sepang before a violent highside.

Martin would then miss the remainder of pre-season testing, and a supermoto crash on the eve of the new season kept him out until Qatar. A commendable showing on his return was cut short by a severe accident where he broke 11 ribs and punctured his lung.

A doubt to return before the summer break, Martin made a secret visit to the Le Mans paddock last weekend. It was there he informed Aprilia that he was triggering a performance-related exit clause based on championship position.

Jorge Martin may not ride an Aprilia MotoGP bike again after triggering release clause

Aprilia believe the Martin clause is null and void because he’s been out injured. This could lead to a legal dispute, though that would perhaps sever the relationship entirely.

Speedweek reporter Ivo Schutzbach has spoken to Aprilia executives about the ‘disaster’ that’s unfolding. They ‘can’t believe what’s happening’ and ‘they blame Martin alone’, rather than their underwhelming RS-GP25.

• READ MORE: Everything to know about Jorge Martin from net worth to girlfriend

Aprilia were enormously excited about signing Martin after his historic 2024 title win, and they planned to build around him. Nobody could have envisaged the catastrophic events of recent months.

According to Schutzbach, it’s possible that the marriage will be ‘dissolved’ in the next few weeks. That would mean Martin doesn’t return at all in 2025, instead making his comeback in new colours next year.

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World Superbikes champion Toprak Razgatlioglu understands Martin’s decision. The Turkish rider had been heavily linked with Honda but he could now lose out.

HRC boss Alberto Puig is a big fan of Luca Marini, but he now looks extremely valuable. While Joan Mir’s two-year contract isn’t watertight, Marini’s is up at the end of the season.

After previously expressing a desire to join the factory squad, Johann Zarco is ready to stay at LCR provided he gets a multi-year deal and retains full support.

With major backers Idemitsu controlling the other LCR seat, Somkiat Chantra is likely to stay put.