Marco Bezzecchi
Jorge Martin’s MotoGP future is uncertain after the revelation that he may leave his Aprilia contract before its conclusion in 2026.
The reigning MotoGP champion is yet to complete a race for his new team and has suffered multiple injury setbacks this year.
Martin’s only contribution has been one damaging appearance at the Grand Prix of Qatar, which caused severe damage to him after a fall during the race. As a result, Aprilia have been without their superstar rider for five of the six race weekends so far this year.
Aprilia may have already found their Martin replacement, but it appears that for the time being, he’s prepared to give them some races to prove themselves after his return. It’s the least that his team deserves, given they have waited so long for him to have an impact on their operation.
If things fail to improve to the level he would like to see, Martin could sign with Honda, but only once his ties with his current team are completely cut. The Japanese manufacturer shares no interest in negotiations with a rider who has a contract, and this has always been their policy.
READ MORE: What Aprilia executives are saying about Jorge Martin ‘disaster’ as 2025 return now uncertain
Mat Oxley believes MotoGP rivals may snub Jorge Martin after Aprilia contract call
Interestingly, Martin made a controversial Ducati move in 2021 and cut a deal with KTM short by finding a loophole in his contract during COVID. It would be understandable if they still hadn’t got over his approach to the situation.
But it’s important to realise that he’s no stranger to this situation if reports are true and he does want to leave. One of the few questions left is how many of the remaining MotoGP teams are actually interested in signing him, given his history and current injury situation.
Mat Oxley believes that the 28-year-old may struggle to find a suitor before 2026, despite showing such good form last year.
“I find the whole thing bizarre. Surely he [Jorge Martin] believes in himself enough. He knows that Aprilia is a good bike, and the team can be a good team,” he said.
“To make that a holy trinity, a rider, team and motorcycle, you need all three elements. He’s out of there, and he’s now saying it’s s—. Well, it might only be s— because he’s not there. Come back and see how it goes. Obviously, he’s trying to get in there early for the rider market, again, if this is true.
“But if I was another factory, would you want to sign somebody that after he hasn’t even ridden a race, is trying to rip up his contract signature?”
READ MORE: Aprilia have now ‘rejected’ Jorge Martin’s offer to stop him leaving amid interest from Honda
Which teams are left that might sign Jorge Martin for 2026?
It’s fairly safe to assume that a return to Ducati or KTM is off the cards for Martin, without exceptional circumstances. He’s also not going to downgrade and join Trackhouse, so three manufacturers are already off the cards after Martin destroyed his relationship with Aprilia.
It leaves just the two concession teams. Honda have one space open at their factory team in 2025, with Luca Marini’s contract set to expire and no replacement or new deal agreed with the Italian yet.
Martin is ‘afraid’ of Aprilia and their bike not turning out to be what they promised, hence his desire to move before the end of his contract. But, finding a way to join the last manufacturer left – Yamaha, would be something special. They have two riders and don’t need a new one for 2026.
The only way in would be to somehow force Alex Rins out early, with Fabio Quartararo comfortable, and little chance of a Pramac reunion just one year after leaving them.
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