Marco Bezzecchi
Honda and Jorge Martin had agreed on a three-year contract, but Aprilia successfully forcing the Spaniard to stay has now completely changed the Japanese outfit’s plans.
The world’s biggest motorcycle manufacturer strived to utilise Martin announcing his desire to leave Aprilia via an exit clause in the 27-year-old’s contract. Yet the Noale outfit held firm in their opposition to the validity of the clause, and Aprilia will now see Martin stay in 2026.
Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta publicly siding with Aprilia’s stance even saw Honda withdraw their contract offer to Martin before he surrendered to staying in Italy. The Japanese giant’s interest in a deal always hinged on the Madrid native resolving his dispute with Aprilia first.
Aprilia’s joy could have also been good news for Luca Marini, as Martin would have replaced the 27-year-old had he joined Honda. While Joan Mir has a contract for Honda through next term, Marini is currently primed to become a free agent following the 2025 MotoGP season.
Honda could demote Luca Marini to LCR and sign Diogo Moreira after missing out on Jorge Martin
But, even though Honda missed out on Martin, Marini is still far from safe with the Japanese giant. According to Motorsport.com, the Spaniard’s U-turn on his attempt to activate his exit clause has forced executives at Honda to explore alternatives who can partner Mir next year.
Marini is likely to remain a part of the Honda family for 2026, as HRC appreciate the Italian’s role in developing the RC213V. Yet the Urbino native may slip down to partner Johann Zarco at LCR in 2026, if Honda can find an alternative rider they would prefer in their factory team.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Luca Marini from his net worth to half-brother
A Moto2 rider could even replace Marini at Honda next season, as they are one of the many MotoGP teams admiring Brazilian talent Diogo Moreira. The 21-year-old is also set to decide what team offers his best route into the premier class for next term over the summer break.
Moreira has recently ‘gained strength’ in Honda’s plans in parallel to their hopes for signing Aprilia wantaway Martin falling through. Somkiat Chantra failing to impress Honda chiefs at LCR so far in his rookie MotoGP season this term has also opened the door for Marini there.
Somkiat Chantra’s MotoGP struggles and Jorge Martin’s Aprilia U-turn completely changed Honda’s plans
Honda executives are now open to putting a non-Eastern rider like Marini in the second LCR seat Chantra currently controls, even though it goes against their deal with Idemitsu. Honda always expected the 26-year-old to initially struggle in MotoGP, but not to the extent he has.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Somkiat Chantra from career to height
Chantra has only secured one solitary point through the Thai rider’s first nine rounds in the premier class. The 26-year-old also only earned that point with P15 in the Dutch Grand Prix at the TT Circuit Assen thanks to Honda test rider Aleix Espargaro letting Chantra pass him.
So, with Moreira attracting firm interest from Yamaha and Aprilia, Honda are studying a deal that sees the Sao Paulo native step straight into their factory team and Marini goes to LCR to replace Chantra in 2026. It was thought that Honda could put Moreira at LCR to deny Ducati.
Yamaha were leading the race to sign Moreira before Honda began to advance their pursuit, as the Iwata natives already have a collaboration in place via their Brazilian division. Yamaha believe Moreira could be a huge marketing asset as the first Brazilian to win a race in Moto2.
Moreira won his first and so far only Moto2 race at last month’s Dutch GP when the Italtrans Racing Team ace beat Fantic’s Aron Canet by 0.056 seconds. The Brazilian is in his second season in the intermediate class after two seasons in Moto3, in which he also won one race.
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