Jorge Martin shares how he really feels about Aprilia after trying to break his contract for 2026

Add as preferred source on Google

Jorge Martin has had a turbulent first year with Aprilia in MotoGP, filled with injuries and contract disputes.

The 2024 champion defected to the Noale outfit after Ducati signed Marc Marquez. He was eyeing a factory seat with the Borgo Panigale outfit after winning the title with Pramac.

Martin took the No.1 plate with him to Aprilia, but he would only get to use it eight times in 2025 as he struggled immensely with injury. Multiple pre-season crashes kept him out until the Qatar GP.

On his return, he suffered 11 fractured ribs and a pneumothorax in a crash with Fabio Di Giannantonio. The accident kept him on the sidelines until the Czech GP before the summer break, and it was during that time that he plotted a sensational move on the MotoGP rider market.

Jorge Martin says he is ‘very happy’ at Aprilia after trying to break his contract in 2025

Martin activated an exit clause in his contract, stating that he was unsatisfied with the RS-GP and Aprilia’s project. At the time, the team were struggling to find performance, not helped by the Spaniard’s injuries.

Honda offered a three-year contract to Martin as the Japanese giants emerged as his most likely destination. However, Dorna blocked Martin from leaving Aprilia early, with the two parties ultimately resolving their feud.

Since then, the Noale outfit have made serious progress, with Marco Bezzecchi winning three races and finishing P3 in the standings. The RS-GP is now arguably the best bike on the grid at certain tracks, which has Martin excited about the future.

Speaking to GPOne about what changed his mind to stay at Aprilia, he said: “Nothing, I was already about to come back. There was still a bit of a mess and I didn’t want that at all. I wanted to come back focused, not with stuff outside the paddock to sort out.

“We still made the decision together with Aprilia, we made an agreement and we were all happy, and now I’m very happy because Aprilia is going very well.”

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

Honda are not giving up on Jorge Martin just yet

After Dorna’s intervention, which also prevented Pedro Acosta from leaving KTM, Honda were forced to explore other options for their 2026 rider line-up. In the end, HRC retained Joan Mir and Luca Marini, while Moto2 champion Diogo Moreira will partner with Johann Zarco at LCR.

Zarco was linked with a factory seat, but was ultimately happy to stay at the satellite team if he received equal machinery. Marini signed a one-year contract extension for 2026, but despite the new deal from Honda, they are still keeping tabs on Martin.

Honda see Martin as their top target for 2027, as they look to return to the front of the grid. They have made good progress in 2025, moving up to C rank in the concessions system.

But the manufacturer are plotting big changes for 2027. Honda are eyeing up Martin and Moreira as an all-new rider pairing for the first season of the new technical regulations.