Jorge Martin is on the verge of finalising a two year deal with Yamaha that could reshape the MotoGP rider market ahead of the 2026 season. According to sources close to the negotiations, the reigning world champion has held advanced talks with Yamaha officials and an agreement is now in its final stages, pending only minor contractual details.
Martin’s potential move comes at a crucial moment for Yamaha as the Japanese manufacturer looks to reassert itself at the front of the MotoGP grid. After several challenging seasons marked by a lack of outright speed and consistency, Yamaha has been aggressively working on a revamped technical package, including a new engine philosophy and expanded European development support. Securing a rider of Martin’s calibre would be a clear statement of intent that the brand is serious about returning to title contention.
For Martin, the switch represents both a bold risk and a long term opportunity. He has established himself as one of the most complete riders on the grid, combining raw speed with improved race management and consistency. While Ducati machinery has dominated recent seasons, Martin is understood to be motivated by the chance to lead a factory backed project and shape a bike around his riding style rather than remain one of several elite riders within a crowded manufacturer lineup.
The proposed two year duration of the deal is also significant. It suggests confidence from both sides that Yamaha’s redevelopment plan will deliver tangible results over the next development cycle, rather than being a short term gamble. Insiders indicate that Martin would be positioned as Yamaha’s clear number one rider, with a central role in testing and development as MotoGP prepares for major regulation changes later in the decade.
If completed, the move is likely to trigger a chain reaction across the paddock. Yamaha’s current riders would face uncertain futures, while rival manufacturers may be forced to rethink their own long term strategies. More importantly, it would inject fresh intrigue into a championship that has recently been defined by technical dominance rather than rider led projects.
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