Honda Team Manager Alberto Puig has reiterated its interest in signing Jorge Martin for the 2026 MotoGP season if he leaves Aprilia.
Amidst the uncertainty over his Aprilia future, the reigning World Champion has been linked to a potential factory Honda ride in 2026, despite taking part in just one race weekend due to injury so far this campaign.
Luca Marini’s Honda contract expires at the end of the season, with the Italian also sidelined due to injury sustained while testing for the Japanese manufacturer ahead of the Suzuka 8-hour race.
Honda team manager Alberto Puig said there had been no contract signed between the manufacturer and Martin, and that they will only make a move once he is free from his Aprilia deal.
“I’ll tell you what I told you last week and the previous one, we haven’t signed a contract,” Puig said to MotoGP.com.
“The situation between riders and teams – or a manufacturer – is something strictly direct. Of course when we say that, Martin is an option, it’s an option for us and everybody.
“Because maybe if he is out of contract, he can choose whatever brand.
“For now, we didn’t make any moves because […] we didn’t check yet the situation. But normally we talk to riders.
“So when the time comes, if it comes, we will see but for now I can only tell you that there’s nothing and nothing more to say.”
‘There’s no deadline’ – Puig on Honda signing Jorge Martin
Puig also suggested Honda “can wait” to decide on who will be its second rider depending on the outcome of Martin’s situation.
Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta said that Martin would not be allowed to register with another manufacturer for 2026 unless an agreement is reached with Aprilia.
“Frankly speaking there’s no deadline,” he continued.
“We need to be sure what to do and at this moment we don’t know, because we need to understand what’s the rider’s situation. […] We can wait.
“I mean, frankly speaking, the story is a matter between Aprilia and Jorge. It must be clear. If he gets out of the contract, then we will understand. And that’s all I can tell you.
“We are not in a super hurry. We will see what is the final resolution there.”
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