Jorge Martin’s possible exit from Aprilia has sparked chaos in the MotoGP rider market just six races into the 2025 season.
The defending champion stunned the paddock by announcing his intention to leave Aprilia at the end of the 2025 season at Le Mans. Martin activated an exit clause in his two-year contract that allows him to leave the Noale outfit if they cannot provide him with a competitive bike.
The Spaniard has barely ridden the RS-GP25, having crashed in pre-season and at the Qatar Grand Prix, suffering serious injuries in both crashes. Despite only competing in one race in 2025, Martin is not satisfied with the bike’s potential as Aprilia sit last in the standings.
Martin has offered to extend his clause by six races, taking it up to the round in Brno – whether Martin will be fit for any of those races is unclear. However, Aprilia have rejected Martin’s proposal, as they insist the exit clause is invalid, because Martin has only competed in one Grand Prix this year.
The situation is not only messy for Martin and Aprilia, but also the MotoGP rider market. Several moves could be triggered by the Spaniard’s exit, with some already potentially in motion.
Honda are understood to be Martin’s preferred destination, with the Japanese manufacturer having more financial power than any other on the MotoGP grid. Luca Marini and Johann Zarco are out of contract in 2025; they have already decided the latter’s fate if Martin is to join from Aprilia.
Johann Zarco is ‘likely’ to stay at Honda on a works deal even if they sign Jorge Martin
While they will not move for the defending MotoGP champion until he breaks free of his Aprilia contract, Honda are prepared to double Martin’s salary. However, it is believed the Spaniard’s decision to move on is not down to financial matters.
Nevertheless, it presents an interesting situation as to who will replace Martin at Aprilia and who he will replace at Honda. Marini seems likely to leave Honda if the Spaniard joins, with the Italian struggling for pace and top results.
Zarco has been one of the surprise packages of 2025, claiming a remarkable win at the French Grand Prix in tricky conditions. The 34-year-old is determined to take the manufacturer back to the top of the premier class.
Currently sitting sixth in the standings after six races, the Frenchman is out of contract at LCR at the end of the year. Zarco is a rider Honda cannot afford to lose, given his performances in 2025.
In a report by The Race, Zarco is ‘expected to stay at Honda on a works deal’ even if they pull off a deal for Martin. The Frenchman is the ‘prize of the 2026 free agency’ and the Japanese outfit are not willing to let him leave.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Johann Zarco from career stats to net worth
Johann Zarco will give up a factory seat at Honda for Jorge Martin on one condition
Zarco wants to be Honda’s number one rider as he eyes a factory seat in 2026. Zarco is already receiving ‘first-rider treatment’ from the manufacturer with his strong results in 2025.
However, interest in Martin may prevent him from making the switch to the factory team. It seems highly unlikely that the 2024 champion will want to move to Honda’s satellite team LCR.
Zarco could sacrifice a factory seat for Martin, but on one condition. The Frenchman wants a two-year deal with LCR and the current spec bike he is on this season.
That seems a reasonable request, given he has been a level above Joan Mir, Marini and teammate Somkiat Chantra this season. Martin’s move to Honda is not certain just yet, though, as his complex situation with Aprilia still needs resolving.
