Jorge Martin is being heavily linked with a move to Honda as he looks to break free from his contract at Aprilia.
Martin has activated an exit clause in his contract that allows him to leave Aprilia if he is not in the top five of the standings after the first six races.
This is despite the Spaniard only competing in one race in 2025, after being ravaged by injury at the start of the year and his return to the grid in Qatar. This is what Aprilia are arguing, as they believe the exit clause is invalid due to Martin’s lack of participation this season.
However, Martin’s injuries are ‘not specified’ in the clause, meaning that the 27-year-old is, in theory, in his right to activate an early exit. It sets up an awkward situation, as Aprilia have told the other manufacturers not to make an offer while he is under contract.
Financial matters are not a factor for Martin, according to Aprilia. The Spaniard is unsatisfied with the performance of the RS-GP, with the manufacturer sitting bottom of the standings after six races.
But Honda are prepared to double Martin’s salary as they emerge as the favourites to sign the 2024 champion. They will continue to assess his situation with Aprilia as they eye a move for 2026.
Honda team manager Alberto Puig says anyone would be an ‘idiot’ to not want to sign Jorge Martin
Honda will not sign Martin unless he is a free agent and breaks his contract with Aprilia. But HRC team manager Alberto Puig confirmed that the team would be interested in signing the Spaniard if he were available.
Speaking via MotoGP’s Inside The Paddock, reporter Jack Appleyard spoke to Puig at the British Grand Prix, where he said off-camera that anyone would be an ‘idiot’ to not want to sign Martin.
“The stories just ravaging the back pages of every sports paper around the world at the moment with this hot, hot breaking news that came out following the French Grand Prix that Martin is looking for an early exit from that Aprilia contract at the end of the year,” he said.
“I managed to speak to Alberto Puig at the start of the session, who didn’t shy away from the fact. He said that: ‘Jorge Martin is a world champion. If you weren’t interested in a rider like that, you’re an idiot!’ Exact words.
“He did say it’s not in Honda’s style for them to approach a rider that is currently under contract, which he is at the moment, Jorge until the end of 2026. However, if he was available, we would, of course, be interested.”
READ MORE: Everything to know about Jorge Martin from net worth to girlfriend
What are Honda looking to do with their riders amid Jorge Martin links?
Honda have two seats available for 2026, with Luca Marini and Johann Zarco out of contract at the end of the season. The Japanese manufacturer are weighing up their options for next season.
Marini is reportedly in talks with Honda over a new contract, while Zarco is eyeing a factory seat after his historic win at Le Mans. However, with Martin now in the picture, Zarco is likely to stay at LCR even if the Spaniard comes on board.
Joan Mir’s future is also in doubt, despite having a two-year factory contract. The 2020 champion is struggling to stay on the bike, having crashed out five times already in 2025.
The likes of Pedro Acosta and Toprak Razgatlioglu have been linked with Honda in recent weeks. It is currently unknown who will ride for the team in 2026, but it is clear that Martin is the priority.
