Jorge Martin still convinced by Yamaha MotoGP decision despite Brazil podium

Jorge Martin’s MotoGP future is thought to have been decided before the 2026 season even began, but he says there are no second thoughts despite starting this season so strongly.

Martin was fourth in the opening grand prix of the season at Buriram on 1 March, and at the Brazilian Grand Prix he finished third in the Sprint and second in the grand prix.

It’s form that has come after a terrible 2025 for the Spaniard that was hit by a series of injuries that prevented him from contesting most of the season and from adapting himself to the Aprilia RS-GP.

But it’s also form that has followed reports during the winter that Martin has already committed his MotoGP future to Yamaha, whose best-placed rider in Brazil was Alex Rins in 14th.

“No, not at all,” Jorge Martin responded when asked on MotoGP.com’s After the Flag post-race show if his start to the season with Aprilia was giving him second thoughts about his future.

“I think the future will be the future, now is the present. I want to focus on the present. 

“You always have thoughts, but as soon as I take a decision I will go 100 per cent with it.

“But now we are in Aprilia, now we are in a good moment, and it’s time to enjoy the moment.”

Title fight? “Not at the moment”

Martin’s start to the season not only brings questions about 2027 but also about this year, most particularly about whether he could be a title contender.

So far, he’s been beaten by his Aprilia Racing teammate Marco Bezzecchi in both grands prix, but out-scored him in both Sprints, and is only 11 points off the championship lead.

But Martin is reluctant to say he is a title contender for now, although that doesn’t mean he doesn’t think he can be in a few races’ time.

“Not at the moment,” Martin said when asked if he is in the title fight after Brazil.

“I still miss a lot of laps with the Aprilia. 

“Marco [Bezzecchi] together with the bike is just one, they are perfect to each other. I just arrived really from the back, and I’m starting to understand what the bike needs, I’m starting to understand how can I improve my style to be faster. 

“Today is just my second long distance. [...] Some laps I feel super-strong, then I start to feel weak and then strong again. So, I just need to find that consistency throughout the long runs. 

“But overall the speed is there, the confidence is there, and every day I’m a bit closer to the top guys, so hopefully I can continue improving and let’s see where we arrive.”