The situation surrounding Jorge Martin and Aprilia is set to rumble throughout the 2025 MotoGP season after the reigning champion dropped a major bombshell.
Martin told Aprilia at the French Grand Prix that he intends to leave before the 2026 season. This is despite the Spaniard signing a two-year factory contract after Ducati snubbed him for Marc Marquez.
The 27-year-old is dissatisfied with the RS-GP25 and the current state of Aprilia. They sit bottom of the standings after six rounds, with Trackhouse rookie Ai Ogura being their highest-placed rider in 10th.
Carlo Pernat thinks that Martin may have been influenced by Marco Bezzecchi. The Italian has struggled for consistency since joining Aprilia, while Lorenzo Savadori has failed to impress as the 2024 MotoGP champion’s replacement.
Martin triggered an exit clause in his contract that allows him to leave if he is not in a competitive position after the first six races. But there lies a problem for the Spaniard and his negotiations; he has only competed in one race in 2025 after suffering numerous injuries throughout the year.
Aprilia have told Jorge Martin that he was the one to work on the bike as they reject his exit clause
Martin’s exit is not final, as he has offered to extend said clause for another six races. It is not clear if the Spaniard will be fit for any of those races.
Aprilia have ‘rejected’ Martin’s proposal, stating that the exit clause is invalid as he has barely ridden the RS-GP25 this season. Martin was surprised by Aprilia’s stance, leaving them in an awkward position heading into the British Grand Prix.
Speaking via his YouTube channel, journalist Nico Abad says Martin ‘doesn’t have any position of strength’ in negotiations with Aprilia. The Noale outfit insists the 27-year-old was responsible for making the bike work; he has crashed every time he has been on it.
Responding to a comment about the situation, Abad said: “You are right for me. I mean, it’s true that you can’t and you don’t have any strength.
“You don’t have any position of strength with the factory in the event of a possible negotiation if you haven’t done anything with the bike.
“And what you’re saying is: ‘Hey, the bike isn’t going’. The bike isn’t going, right? You’re the one who had to make the bike work, right? That’s what Aprilia says and that’s what everyone understands.
“So, for me, another pretty accurate comment, what is Jorge trying to do? If the bike isn’t going, it’s because he hasn’t gotten on the bike.”
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Where will Jorge Martin end up and who will replace him at Aprilia?
Jorge Martin’s intention to leave Aprilia has already sparked chaos in the MotoGP rider market. Despite several riders having long-term contracts into 2026, there could be huge movement amongst the manufacturers.
Honda is Martin’s preferred destination, with Luca Marini out of contract in 2025. Honda will not sign Martin until he breaks his contract with Aprilia; negotiations are already proving difficult between the two parties.
The Japanese manufacturer have several options to consider, with Johann Zarco, Toprak Razgatlioglu and Pedro Acosta all linked with the factory team. However, Acosta is not interested in Honda’s money and would prefer a move to Ducati, with VR46 in pole position to sign him.
Acosta may inadvertently help Martin get his move to Honda, and there are already candidates emerging to replace him at Aprilia. Pramac and Aprilia are chasing Enea Bastianini, as he seeks a way out of KTM.
