‘Many in the paddock’ think only one MotoGP rider could break his contract for 2026, and it’s not Jorge Martin

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Jorge Martin has committed to racing for Aprilia until at least the end of his contract in 2026. A prolonged contract dispute is coming to an end ahead of his return to action at Brno.

Martin, bottom of the championship after missing all but one race through injury, tried to activate a performance-based release clause in his deal. Aprilia felt the clause was invalid, and made it clear that they were willing to go to court.

The Spaniard’s camp progressively lost their appetite to fight such a battle. Martin was impressed by Aprilia’s bike in a pre-comeback test at Misano, which made a u-turn more palatable.

Honda withdrew their offer for Martin before he agreed to stay at Aprilia. But now it seems another contract dispute could break out elsewhere in the paddock.

Alex Rins’ Yamaha contract could be ripped up for 2026

Alex Rins is having a fairly miserable season at Yamaha. He’s scored just 41 points in the first 11 rounds, which leaves him 18th in the championship and 46 behind teammate Fabio Quartararo.

Quartararo, who has four pole positions, has whitewashed the qualifying head-to-head. Rins has only cracked the top 10 twice all season.

In the races, the Spaniard hasn’t finished higher than 10th. He’s been outshone by Jack Miller on the satellite Pramac bike.

According to MOW, ‘many in the paddock believe’ that Rins is the only under-contract rider who may leave his current team for 2026. It sounds like this would be driven by Yamaha, rather than being a mutual decision.

Yamaha know which rider they could sign to replace Alex Rins

Rins may struggle to attract interest elsewhere in the pit lane. While he’s an experienced rider with six premier-class victories, his form this season has seen his stock fall significantly.

Neil Hodgson feels that Rins is approaching ‘the end’ of his career. The TNT Sports pundit called his severe leg break at the 2023 Italian GP ‘life-changing’.

Enea Bastianini has been linked with Pramac, so he’s on Yamaha’s radar as a potential replacement. The Tech3 rider would have to find a way out of his deal, though.

Bastianini would partner Toprak Razgatlioglu at Paolo Campinoti’s team, with Miller potentially stepping up to Yamaha. The picture should become clearer before or during the summer break.