As rumors swirl in the paddock surrounding a possible move for Jorge Martin to Honda in 2026, Honda HRC Castrol team principal Alberto Puig sought to calm things down at the Dutch Grand Prix in Assen.
The future of the reigning world champion has been at the center of all discussions since he expressed his wish to leave Aprilia, despite a contract that runs until the end of 2026. On Friday, his manager Albert Valera confirmed that Honda was "an option" for Martin, reviving speculation that has been well established for several weeks.
Asked on Sunday morning before the MotoGP warm-up, Puig was extremely measured: " Well, there is no deadline. We must be sure of what we must do. At the moment we don't know because we need to understand what the pilot's situation is. »
The boss of Honda insisted that the priority, before any negotiation, was to clarify the contractual situation between Martin et Aprilia.
Alberto Puig: “ This is a matter between Aprilia and Jorge. We need to make that clear. »
« Frankly, this is a matter between Aprilia and Jorge. We need to be clear about that. If he withdraws from the contract, we'll understand. We are not in a hurryWe will see what the final solution will be. »
Honda therefore refuses to enter into negotiations as long as the legal separation between Martin et Aprilia is not recorded: " We do not sign contracts with pilots who have a current contractWe believe that the relationship between drivers and teams, or manufacturers, is something strictly direct between them. »
However, Puig acknowledged that Martin is indeed an interesting driver on the market:
« Of course, When we said Martin was an option, he is an option – for us and for everyone., because if his contract is up, he can choose any brand. But for now, we haven't done anything. We have not yet verified the situation, but usually we talk to the drivers. So when the time comes, if that's the case, we'll see. But for now, there's nothing more to say. »
The future MotoGP de George Martin remains in suspense, suspended by a contractual battle between Noale's lawyers and the Spanish pilot's clan. Honda, the door seems open, but caution is still required.
