– Jorge Martin is not deterred by doubts about his move to Yamaha. The Aprilia rider will race for the Japanese manufacturer’s factory team in 2027, thus moving from a currently title-strong project to a manufacturer that is significantly behind this season.
Read more Ocon fights for Haas cockpit: «We drivers are not the problem»
However, this is no reason for Martin to question his decision. The Spaniard emphasizes that the move was by no means spontaneous. Unlike in 2024, when Ducati left Aprilia, he had enough time this time to weigh his options and make a decision calmly.
“I believe that in life you have to make certain decisions,” Martin explains in an interview with DAZN. “In 2024, I had to make a rushed decision. Now I had the opportunity to make it more calmly and with more time.”
His personal priorities have remained unchanged. “I have always made my decisions with the thought of what is best for me and my family, and I believe this is the best decision,” he emphasizes.
Martin recalls his Aprilia switch
Martin has learned from his own experience that the current performance of a manufacturer does not necessarily say anything about its future. When he decided to switch to Aprilia in 2024, skepticism was also high.
At that time, Ducati had denied him a promotion to the factory team, after which Martin signed a two-year contract with Aprilia. The manufacturer from Noale was competitive at that time but had not yet won a MotoGP world championship and struggled with significant fluctuations.
Martin therefore consciously recalls the reactions at the time: “Just like back then when I signed with Aprilia … That was supposed to be a disaster. Where would I want to go with an Aprilia, a team that had never won? And yet today I am here leading the world championship.”
That is why he does not care much about the opinions of critics and doubters this time either: “Next year or in two years, let the world and the public say what they want.”
Photo gallery: The career highlights of Jorge Martin
The timing of his Yamaha switch actually seems unusual from today’s perspective. Martin is leaving the team currently fighting for the world championship and joining a manufacturer currently at the bottom of the constructors’ standings.
At the same time, the technical environment will fundamentally change in 2027: MotoGP will switch, among other things, to 850cc engines and receive new technical framework conditions – less aero, no devices. It is therefore currently hardly predictable which manufacturer will make the greatest progress.
Yamaha facing a complete restart
Yamaha has been struggling with significant performance problems since Fabio Quartararo’s world championship title in 2021. The introduction of the new V4 engine has so far not led to a decisive reduction in the gap to the front.
Precisely for this reason, Martin’s decision carries a considerable risk. The Spaniard is betting that the 2026 starting position is not a reliable forecast for 2027. With the new era of rules, a new chapter begins for all manufacturers in a way.
Martin himself does not want to be impressed by the current ranking. His decision is long-term and oriented towards the best option for him.
Read more «Something had to change»: What Cadillac needs under Budkowski
Relationship with Aprilia significantly better again
While Martin’s future at Yamaha is already set, he still wants to finish his collaboration with Aprilia in the current season as best as possible. The relationship between the rider and his current employer was sometimes heavily strained last year when Martin was out injured for a long time.
Because of his injury problems, the Spaniard had tried to get out of his contract with Aprilia, which was valid until 2026. The subsequent legal disputes caused significant tensions between both sides.
In the meantime, the relationship has largely been restored. Martin makes it clear: “We don’t have to be friends either. They want to win, I want to win.” What is decisive is that both sides know their roles and work towards the same goal. “None of us wants to quarrel.”
He points to very concrete things to show that the relationship has actually improved. For example, they can now have dinner together again, get along well, and also spend time together off the track. “I think we have really got our relationship back on track.”
Sterlacchini enjoys Martin’s trust
Aprilia’s Technical Director Fabiano Sterlacchini plays a central role in the sporting rapprochement. Martin explicitly emphasizes that he trusts the Italian and appreciates his commitment to his further development.
“There will be equal conditions for everyone. I trust Fabiano. I see that he is doing everything in his power to help me get better,” Martin underlines.
For him, a conversation at the beginning of this season was particularly important. Sterlacchini traveled to Andorra and formulated a clear goal there: “He said to me: ‘I want to bring back the Jorge from 2024. I want to bring out all that talent again.’ He has largely succeeded.”
Martin is convinced that Sterlacchini will continue to support him until the end of their time together: “I am confident that he will continue and help me develop until our last day together.”
Fighting with Aprilia until the last day
Whether another title will come out of it remains to be seen. After the Silverstone Grand Prix, Martin leads the MotoGP World Championship and is ahead of his teammate Marco Bezzecchi, who will also remain with Aprilia in 2027. After Silverstone, Martin’s lead is 31 points.
Thus, he could celebrate a second world championship with Aprilia in his last joint season, after the manufacturer has now become the benchmark in the title fight through its strong development.
- DTMGlock loses it because of Dörr team: “There is an A and a B car!”
- Formula 1The new Red Bull deal of Max Verstappen explained
- Formula 1Expert explains: This is how the next F1 power unit regulations must look
- Formula 1Formula 1 live ticker: The sprint qualifying in Zandvoort live!
For Martin, this closes a circle: What was laughed at as a risky career step in 2024 could bring him the next world championship crown in 2026. And it is precisely this experience that gives the Spaniard the confidence to act against the current public assessment in the next big step.
Read more «No more teenage sensation»: Naomi Schiff demands a new narrative for Antonelli
