Martin activated an exit clause<\/a> in his contract that would, in theory, allow him to leave if he was not in a competitive position after Le Mans. It was later discovered that the clause was specifically tied to Honda<\/a>, who were his preferred destination.<\/p>\n Team manager Alberto Puig<\/a> stated that the Japanese giants would not sign a rider who had a contract, but it was reported that Honda offered Martin a huge contract<\/a>. But Aprilia stood their ground and insisted the clause was invalid due to the Spaniard\u2019s injuries in 2025.<\/p>\n Massimo Rivola privately warned Honda about signing Martin<\/a>, as it would be illegitimate per his contract. Unable to reach a compromise, and with the threat of legal action, the 27-year-old surrendered, and Martin will now stay with Aprilia until 2026<\/a>.<\/p>\n Martin insisted he is not \u2018moved\u2019 by money in MotoGP<\/a>, despite the large pay rise Honda were prepared to offer. The Spaniard impressed on his return to the premier class, finishing a respectable P7 at Brno while his teammate Marco Bezzecchi<\/a> came home second.<\/p>\n While Aprilia have secured their star rider until 2026, which is a major boost, many have assessed how long the two parties will stay together. Journalist Valentin Khorounzhiy says there is \u2018no confidence\u2019 that the Noale outfit will keep Martin for the long-term.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are a lot of people naturally sceptical and correctly so. It was an ugly episode,\u201d he said via The Race MotoGP YouTube channel at Brno.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u201cIf Jorge Martin had got his wish a few months ago, he would have a Honda deal for 2026 now. He would be away from Aprilia, which, it is factually correct to say, he has been kept against his will at that moment in time.<\/p>\n \u201cThe thing is that, if this was an extension of this situation, there would be never even any thought, no lip service paid to the idea of this relationship continuing to greater heights beyond the fulfilment of pure contractual obligations in 2026.<\/p>\n \u201cNow, there is no confidence, no certainty, no anything that Aprilia will keep Jorge Martin longer term, how its chances are. But not only has it bought itself time, but again, it\u2019s bought itself the vibes, it\u2019s bought itself the feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE:\u00a0Everything to know about Jorge Martin from net worth to girlfriend<\/a><\/p>\n Martin\u2019s short and medium-term future looks promising in MotoGP, as Aprilia have made significant strides forward in his absence.<\/p>\n Bezzecchi has developed the RS-GP25 mostly on his own and has helped turn it into a machine that can challenge Ducati. Martin is set to benefit from Aprilia\u2019s \u2018unprecedented\u2019 upgrades<\/a>, having made huge progress during the official tests.<\/p>\n![\"Jorge](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/GettyImages-2225105103-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Hazrin Yeob Men Shah\/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesThere is \u2018no confidence\u2019 in Aprilia keeping Jorge Martin \u2018long-term\u2019 after his contract dispute<\/p>\n![\"Joan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/GettyImages-2224907832-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Gold & Goose Photography\/Getty ImagesHonda already have Jorge Martin lined up as an option for the future<\/p>\n