Jorge Martin is experiencing a nightmarish 2025 season, a far cry from the all-conquering image that saw him become the 2024 MotoGP world champion with Pramac Ducati. Between a barrage of injuries and a stalled contract, the 27-year-old Spaniard finds himself at an unexpected crossroads, having already dreamed of a future at Honda.
Former British driver Neil Hodgson warns: " Martin is now in a fight for his futureIf he starts 2026 badly, he will have to look for a way out. »
After a winter in which he had succeeded in a historic gamble by leaving Ducati for ApriliaMartin was supposed to play the big star of Noale. But his year turned into a nightmare in the first few months:
- Fractured his left hand before the first Grand Prix, depriving him of the first three rounds.
- A violent fall in Qatar in April, with 11 broken ribs and a hemopneumothorax, which kept him away from competition for a long time and raised doubts about his return.
- Another fracture of the right clavicle during the Sprint in Japan, compromising the end of his season and preventing him from competing in the Indonesian and Australian Grand Prix.
Result: out of eighteen races on the calendar, Martin will have missed twelveFor a reigning champion who had to learn a new bike, it was a dramatic blank season.
Hodgson sums up: “ he lost a full season of development, which benefited Marco Bezzecchi. Now he must save his future »
Weakened by his injuries, George Martin attempted to activate a release clause to join Honda in 2026. The project was ambitious: to become the figurehead of the reconstruction of the HRC with Romano Albesiano and his friend, the brand's test pilot Aleix Espargaró. But Aprilia refused to release him, considering that his absences due to injuries made the clause inapplicable. Martin so found himself stuck at home Aprilia, obliged to honor his initial two-year contract (2025-2026) on the RS-GP.
Ducati will be a natural option in 2027 if Jorge Martin regains his level
For Neil Hodgson, the 2026 season will be an ultimate test for Jorge Martin: " If he starts off badly, he will have to consider his future elsewhere.The 2027 market promises to be explosive with the new regulations. Ducati will be a natural option if it regains its level. »
Clear, Martin will not be entitled to a second misstep. All 2026 places are already locked in. The new 2027 MotoGP regulations, with the arrival of the tires Pirelli and a technical overhaul, will make the drivers attractive from next year. Ducati could become a refuge for him again, especially if Francis Bagnaia is experiencing instability.
Jorge Martin's story illustrates the cruelty of MotoGP: a champion's career can be derailed in a single year due to injury. But his raw talent and his 2024 title continue to protect him. Aprilia wants to keep him and build around him, but his future will depend on two factors:
- Its ability to become competitive again from the first races of 2026, after a virtually blank year.
- The appeal of the 2027 market, where it could be a key piece for manufacturers seeking to adapt to the new regulations.
George Martin remains a sure value on the board MotoGP, but he has no more margin. After a 2025 season ruined by injuries and an aborted transfer to Honda, he must bounce back in 2026 to avoid becoming a forgotten champion. Ducati, Honda, maybe even KTM: all the factories are watching, but none will bet on a rider who can't regain his brilliance.
