Martin confirms desire to leave Aprilia for MotoGP 2026

Aprilia rider Jorge Martin has confirmed his desire to leave the Italian marque at the end of the 2025 MotoGP season, having broken his silence on Thursday.

As exclusively revealed by Autosport, Martin told Aprilia management that he intended to leave at the end of this year despite only joining the team for 2025. 

This is based on a contractual clause which allows him to walk away after round six of 2025 – Le Mans – if he is not in contention for the MotoGP title.

His season-long injuries, which have kept him out of all rounds but Qatar, have made the situation complicated with Aprilia arguing that it makes the clause inapplicable. It maintained its firm stance that Martin’s two-year contract remains valid. 

But having stayed silent on the situation since news broke out, Martin has now released a statement on social media to share “a clear explanation about my situation”.

“At no point have I breached the contract,” Martin, who clinched last year’s title with Pramac Ducati, said.

“When we signed it, I agreed with Aprilia that if certain conditions were not met, I would reserve the right to decide my future for 2026. This was an essential condition for me to accept the contract offer at that time.

“When I decided last year to change manufacturers, one of my key requirements was to test the bike in real conditions and understand the team’s dynamic and working methods. That way, I could feel confident in signing for two years instead of one, and that’s why we included this condition.

“Faced with the need to make a decision by a date set in the contract, I have chosen to exercise my right to be released for the 2026 season. I’ve always done so with respect, clarity, and the sole intention of taking control of my future as a professional athlete.

“Unfortunately, the circumstances caused by the crashes – while they do not alter the agreement – have influenced this phase. That’s why I’ve always been open to dialogue with Aprilia about extending this evaluation period to a certain number of grand prix races starting from my return.

“The goal is for both parties to give each other a second chance and feel comfortable before making a decision for 2026.”

Martin, maintaining a non-confrontational tone towards the manufacturer, emphasised his respect for the team which is currently third in the standings after seven rounds.

Jorge Martin, Aprilia Racing

Photo by: Aprilia Racing

“I’ve always been honest with Aprilia,” he added. “I value the bike, the team, and the effort of everyone involved in the project. All I ask is for my wishes and the spirit of what we agreed upon to be respected.

“There is no conflict or blame. I just want to be able to look ahead with clarity after going through very difficult moments and a serious injury, and continue giving my best on and off the track.”

The 27-year-old made his MotoGP debut in 2021 with the Pramac team under a Ducati contract.

Ducati had promised to promote him to its factory team twice, both for 2023 and 2026, but failed to deliver on either occasion.

On 2 June last year, in Mugello, Ducati informed Martin that six-time champion Marc Marquez had been chosen from Gresini instead.

Martin therefore decided to leave Pramac, which had offered him two more years as Ducati’s third official rider, and join Aprilia for this season. Honda is understood to be an option for 2026.