Honda confirms interest in signing MotoGP champion Martin

Honda MotoGP boss Alberto Puig has confirmed the team is interested in signing Jorge Martin should the reigning champion become available at the end of the year.

Autosport exclusively revealed that Martin is pushing to leave Aprilia at the end of 2025 invoking a clause in his contract.

He is understood to be unimpressed by the RS-GP’s pace this year, with Aprilia bottom of the manufacturers’ championship after six rounds.

Martin is unlikely to leave without a destination in mind, but Honda is a strong possibility given the contract of its factory rider Luca Marini expires at the end of this season. 

So when asked about the possibility of signing Martin ahead of this weekend’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone, Puig said: “Every single team in the paddock would be interested in a rider like Martin.

“If you are not interested in Martin, you are an idiot. But we’ll never sign a rider who has a current contract. That’s not Honda’s way.

“But if you ask me if we’re interested in a rider like Martin, obviously we are. We’re interested in fast riders. If he were free at the end of the year, he’s clearly one of the riders to keep an eye on.”

Martin does face competition for the seat though, as LCR Honda rider Johann Zarco is pushing for a factory move after an impressive start to 2025 sitting sixth in the standings after winning at Le Mans last time out.

He is the highest-placed Honda rider in the championship and Zarco stated his French Grand Prix win can only help his quest for a factory seat.

On the whole, it has been a much-improved 2025 for the Japanese marque, which is second in the championship after finishing bottom last year.

It has led to the possibility of increasing its tally of four bikes on the grid to six for MotoGP next year, something Puig has left the door open to but the decision is ultimately not his. 

“Having six bikes on the grid would mean more work,” he added. “It’s not something that’s currently on the table. But if the situation arises, Japan will have to decide whether it’s feasible or not.”