Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola mentioned he was instructed by Jorge Martin’s supervisor that Honda had made a “excellent” provide for MotoGP in 2026, which triggered the contract dispute.
Jorge Martin competed in just one Grand Prix weekend for Aprilia in 2025 because of harm, earlier than making the bombshell that he meant to go away the model in 2026.
The 2024 world champion tried to set off a efficiency clause in his contract, however Aprilia was adamantly opposed as he lacked RS-GP time on the time.
Rumors shortly surfaced that Martin was contemplating a attainable transfer to Honda in 2026, however they intensified through the Dutch Grand Prix weekend when supervisor Albert Varela publicly confirmed that HRC was an possibility.
HRC has repeatedly denied that any affords have been made and mentioned it doesn’t cope with riders who’re signed elsewhere.
Rivola talks about breach of contract with Jorge Martin
The problem was ultimately resolved by means of Aprilia’s risk of authorized motion and the intervention of Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta, with Martin ultimately committing to a second 12 months of his contract.
When he first confronted the media in regards to the concern in Brno, he mentioned he had nothing to apologize for as he felt he was doing what was finest for his profession, linking the controversy to doubts he had after the intense accident in Qatar.
In a brand new documentary launched by MotoGP, From heaven to hell, Massimo Rivola has revealed Martin’s first dialog with Varela about leaving Aprila, saying he had a “actually good” provide from Honda.
“His supervisor Albert Varela got here to me and mentioned, ‘Look, I believe we will depart. Honda is kind of inquisitive about him. This provide is de facto good,'” he mentioned.
“So I mentioned, ‘Are you kidding me?’
“The subsequent day I went to Madrid as a result of I needed to see Albert (Martin) to see if what he simply mentioned was true.
“And he mentioned, ‘I believe you must stop.’ And I mentioned, ‘I am sorry, however I am not going to allow you to go.'”
Rivola added extra on the matter. “I additionally instructed him sternly, ‘You do not stop, as a result of I am occupied with what’s higher for you than you might be.'”
The story broke shortly after the French Grand Prix, and Aprilia received the next British Grand Prix with Marco Bezzecchi.
