MotoGP: Jorge Martin confirms his desire to leave Aprilia at the end of 2025

Jorge Martin has confirmed that he intends to leave Aprilia at the end of the 2025 MotoGP season.

Rumours began to circulate earlier this month that Martin was keen to exercise a performance clause in his contract which would allow him to leave the Noale factory at the end of the year. The clause in question is believed to have been based on where Aprilia were in the championship after the opening six rounds.

Aprilia responded at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone with a statement on the matter, stating that the contract with Martin was valid and in effect, and therefore should be respected by both parties until its expiration at the end of 2026.

What made matters even more complicated was the fact that Martin had missed the majority of the season through injury. The reigning champion sustained a fractured metacarpal in his right hand, as well as multiple fractures to the metatarsals in his left foot, at the Sepang Test. He then fractured the radius in his left hand and injuring his scaphoid bone whilst training on his supermoto bike.

Martin returned to action in Qatar (round four) only to suffer yet another injury. This time, Martin broke 11 ribs and suffered a pneumothorax (collapsed lung), and is still unable to race as a result.

Therefore, Martin has been unable to race the RS-GP whilst at 100% having missed both pre-season tests and six of the opening seven rounds. It was suggested that Martin offered to extend the performance clause period upon his return to action, something he confirms in his statement this morning.

Martin’s request comes days after teammate Marco Bezzecchi won the GP race at Silverstone, a victory which inspired Aprilia boss Massimo Rivola to say, “I would like to send Jorge the message that we have a bike with which he too can win. The factory is working hard. Our message is that the bike is ready to win. We want to win with Jorge and we are waiting for him with open arms.”

Despite the plea from Rivola, Martin has now stated that he wishes to depart Aprilia at the end of the season. Martin released a statement on Instagram and Facebook on Thursday morning.

“Hello everyone, I would like to share with all the fans, media, and people who follow my career a clear explanation about my situation with Aprilia,” Martin said. “At no time have I ever breached the contract. When we signed it, I agreed with Aprilia that, if certain circumstances were not met, I reserved the right to decide my future for 2026. This was an essential condition for me to accept the contract proposal they offered me at that time.

“When I made the decision to change manufacturers last year, one of my premises was to have the possibility to test the bike in real circumstances and to understand the team and its working methodology. In this way I could feel comfortable signing for two years instead of one, and so we included that condition.

“Faced with the situation of having to make a decision on a date that is established by contract, I have decided to exercise my right to release myself for the 2026 season. I have always done so respectfully, clearly and with the sole intention of taking control of my future as a professional athlete.

“Unfortunately, the circumstances that have occurred as a result of the crashes, although it’s true that they do not affect what we agreed, have conditioned this phase. That is why I have always been open to dialogue with Aprilia to extend this period to a certain number of Grand Prix after my return to competition. The aim is that both parties can give each other a second chance and feel comfortable before making a decision for 2026.

“I have always been honest with Aprilia, I have always valued the bike, the team and the effort of all the people who are part of the project. The only thing I ask is that my will and the spirit of what we agreed at the time with Aprilia will be respected.

“There is no conflict or reproach. I just want to be able to look ahead with clarity, after very difficult times and a very serious injury, and to continue to give the best of myself on and off the track. Thank you all for your understanding and respect.”

Paddock rumours suggest that a move to Honda for 2026 is Martin’s preferred option. Aprilia are yet to respond to Martin’s statement.