Aprilia have now changed their tune on Jorge Martin’s contract as Honda links intensify

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Jorge Martin is closing on a return from injury after two and a half months out. But when he does come back, the questions won’t be about his fitness.

The world of MotoGP is desperate to know where Martin will be racing next season. He’s activated a release clause in his Aprilia contract after a solitary appearance in Qatar.

While that would appear to indicate his intentions, he said in a statement that the decision wasn’t final. What’s more, Aprilia believe that the clause is invalid due to his absences.

Martin had to be in a certain championship position by the French GP to guarantee the second year of his deal. He inevitably finds himself bottom, having failed to finish a race in 2025.

Massimo Rivola hints Aprilia will let Jorge Martin go if he wants to leave

Speaking to GPOne, Aprilia boss Massimo Rivola insisted that ‘our position has not changed’. But his comments later in the interview suggested otherwise.

In a statement just over a month ago, Aprilia said that Martin’s contract ‘must be respected by both parties until its expiration’ at the end of 2026. But now Rivola has indicated that the team may have to ‘revise’ their plans.

Aprilia might have realised that there is little benefit in keeping a rider who wants to be elsewhere, no matter his pedigree. Rivola is also wary of the ongoing uncertainty.

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

Most MotoGP teams don’t have vacancies for 2025, so the competition for available riders should at least be less intense.

“Taking too long is not in anyone’s interest at the moment,” said Rivola. “For us, he is our rider for both this and next year. If he, by all means, does not want to be with us for some reason, we will have to revise our plans.”

Jorge Martin’s chances of racing for Honda in 2026 rated out of 100

KTM boss Pit Beirer has called Martin’s conduct ‘unacceptable’. He’s warned that MotoGP riders could see their salaries hit if they continue to break contracts.

There appears to be tension between Martin and Aprilia, with the 27-year-old skipping the last two races despite riding at the Misano All Stars event. He may be married to the idea of joining Honda.

During TNT Sports’ coverage of FP2 at the Dutch Grand Prix, commentator Gavin Emmett suggested that the move was now overwhelmingly likely.

“I will, at this stage, say that Martin on a Honda is about an 80% possibility of happening,” he said.