 |
| Jorge Martin and Aprilia’s Contract Drama: Will They Stick Together or Split? |
The tension between Jorge Martin and Aprilia Racing has become one of the hottest stories in MotoGP right now. What started as a promising partnership has quickly turned into a legal standoff, leaving fans wondering: is there still hope for reconciliation, or is this the beginning of the end?
A Dream Signing That’s Turning Sour
In 2024, Aprilia made a bold move by signing Jorge Martin, fresh off his championship win. Ducati had initially planned to promote him to the factory team, but changed course and chose Marc Marquez instead. That opened the door for Aprilia, who saw Martin not only as a fast rider but also as a potential team leader.
At first, the collaboration seemed to click. During the post-season test in November, Aprilia praised Martin’s leadership qualities and competitive spirit. But things took a turn in recent months. Martin is now reportedly looking to trigger a performance clause in his contract to leave the team at the end of 2025.
Aprilia, however, argues that Martin’s absence due to injury during most of the 2025 season voids that clause. The disagreement has escalated to the point where legal action might be on the table.
Rivola: We Still Want Martin to Race With Us
Massimo Rivola, CEO of Aprilia Racing, admits the situation is far from ideal—but says the goal is still to keep Martin onboard.
“It’s definitely uncomfortable,” Rivola said during the Dutch Grand Prix at Assen. “We signed him for strong reasons, and I believe he chose us based on performance.”
Rivola emphasized that Aprilia has proven it can deliver results. “We’ve shown that the performance is there,” he added. “In the past, we’ve seen riders fighting for championships even when they weren’t happy with their team or management.”
He finished with a bit of humor, saying, “Let’s see how this plays out. Luckily, we don’t have children together!”
History Repeats Itself in MotoGP
This kind of friction between top riders and their teams isn’t new in MotoGP:
-
Jorge Lorenzo famously clashed with Yamaha in 2015, but still managed to win the world title in 2016 before switching teams.
-
Valentino Rossi won the 2003 title with Honda despite feeling sidelined by the team, which publicly credited its bike over his skill.
-
Maverick Viñales had a public fallout with Yamaha in 2021, ending in a controversial mid-season exit after allegedly trying to sabotage his own engine.
These examples show that even when a relationship breaks down behind the scenes, riders can still deliver results—though it often ends in separation the following season.
Is Honda the Next Step for Martin?
Martin’s manager, Albert Valera, recently stated that the rider is “free” for the 2026 season and acknowledged ongoing talks with Honda. Aprilia, however, quickly denied this and reiterated their contractual claims, even threatening to take the matter to court.
This raises a crucial question: Can the fractured relationship be mended, or are we watching the slow unraveling of what could have been a MotoGP powerhouse partnership?
The contract dispute between Jorge Martin and Aprilia could significantly impact the 2025 and 2026 MotoGP seasons. While the team remains hopeful for a resolution, the possibility of a split looms large. As history shows, even the most talented rider-team combos can fall apart under pressure. Will Martin stay and fight with Aprilia, or is a new chapter with another factory—possibly Honda—already in the making?