Reigning MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin has announced his intention to leave Aprilia for 2026, having contested just a single weekend for the Italian factory since joining from Ducati at the start of the 2025 season.
News first leaked out earlier this month that Martin was trying to find a way out of his two-year deal by executing a performance clause that would have allowed him to walk away after six rounds had he not achieved certain results, something he has been unable to do thanks to multiple injuries sustained in testing, training and racing.
And while Aprilia tried to calm the situation following last weekend's victory for Martin's team-mate Marco Bezzecchi at the British Grand Prix, it seems like Massimo Rivola's task has not been successful.
"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," Martin said in a statement released on his social media platforms.
"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 is 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.
"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."
Martin went on to elaborate on the contract clause that he has executed to extricate himself from the deal, one that he said the nature of his rushed departure from Ducati's satellite team Pramac meant he had to have to protect his future.
"At no time have I ever breached the contract," he insisted.
"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."
The Race understands that Aprilia will not be releasing a statement of its own, but that its position remains unchanged from the Silverstone weekend - where it insisted the contract between the two parties remains "valid" and "must be respected" until its end-of-2026 expiration.
If Martin does get his wish of free agency beofre that, it is most likely that hewill end up as a Honda rider for 2026, given the relative lack of available seats on the grid.
Current racer Luca Marini, who was badly hurt in a Suzuka 8 Hour testing crash on Wednesday, has a contract that expires at the end of 2025, likely opening a door for Martin to partner up Joan Mir for 2026.
