Aprilia Racing has issued a statement ahead of the British MotoGP, firmly denying any negotiations to alter the terms of Jorge Martin contract and warns rival teams from making advances toward the injured Spanish rider.
Reports emerged after the French Grand Prix that the reigning MotoGP world champion was seeking to activate a performance clause in his contract which would allow him to depart the Italian manufacturer at the end of the current season if certain competitiveness criteria were not met.
Motorsport initially broke the story, suggesting that Martin had already informed Aprilia Racing of his intention to leave at the end of 2025 MotoGP and was exploring options with other teams, most notably Honda.
The speculation was fueled by Martin’s apparent dissatisfaction with the RS-GP25, Aprilia’s current machine, which has struggled to match the performance of its rivals.
With Aprilia languishing at the bottom of the constructors’ standings and Martin yet to score a single point in 2025, the narrative of a frustrated champion looking for greener pastures gained traction across the global MotoGP community.
Aprilia Racing, however, has moved swiftly to quash Jorge Martin contract rumours. In a strongly worded statement released ahead of the British Grand Prix, the Noale-based outfit made it clear that his contract is “valid and in effect” and must be respected by both parties until its expiration at the end of 2026.
“The contract between Aprilia Racing and Jorge Martín is valid and in effect, and as such, it must be respected by both parties until its expiration (end of 2026),” the statement reads.
“Aprilia Racing has honoured it in full, within the agreed upon timelines and terms, and will continue to do so in the future.
“Aprilia Racing denies that any negotiations have taken place between the parties to modify the duration of the contract, which remains as originally agreed upon.
“The team has no comment on matters that do not directly concern it but expects other teams to refrain from making any kind of offer to riders who are under contract.
“Such behaviour would, in any case, not be legitimate.“
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Despite the contractual dispute and the swirling rumours, Aprilia Racing expressed its commitment to stand by Martin who is still expected to be sidelined until at least the German Grand Prix in July, reiterating that the entire team is eager to see him return to action with the RS-GP.
“The entire Team will continue to support Jorge throughout his recovery process, as it always has, and looks forward to seeing him back on track with the RS-GP.”
The backdrop to this saga comes in wake of a challenging season for Aprilia which has struggled to replicate the form that saw it emerge as a genuine contender in recent years.
Ahead of the British MotoGP, the team currently sits at the bottom of the constructors’ standings with rookie Ai Ogura their highest-placed rider in 10th position.
The struggles of Marco Bezzecchi who has been inconsistent since joining Aprilia and the underwhelming performances of Lorenzo Savadori have only added to the sense of frustration within the camp.
For Martin, the inability to get meaningful track time due to his injuries has compounded the difficulties, leaving him with little opportunity to assess the true potential of the RS-GP25 or to contribute to the team’s efforts on the track.
The coming weeks and months will be critical as he works toward a return to full fitness. However, the rumours surrounding his future are unlikely to dissipate quickly especially if Aprilia’s on-track struggles persist.
The possibility of a move to Honda or another manufacturer remains a topic of speculation but any such transfer would be contingent on the resolution of his current contractual obligations. Until then, Martin’s focus will be on rehabilitation and preparation for his next race appearance, whenever that may be.
