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Many people, reading Aprilia's statement in recent days about the contract situation with Martin, thought they were referring to Honda. The sentence "...[Aprilia] expects other teams to refrain from making any kind of offer to riders who are under contract: such behaviour would, in any case, not be legitimate" seemed precisely directed at the Japanese company, the likely port of call for the world champion should he leave Noale.
Alberto Puig, HRC team manager, did not back down when motogp.com reporters at Silverstone questioned him on the subject. Starting with the rider market, with Marini's contract expiring and Zarco wanting his place.
"Right now we are not focused on this issue, although of course we have options, it's our job," the Spaniard explained , "There are rumors in the paddock and still we need to see what happens. The priority number one for Honda is riders who want to race with us, but we are still waiting, we don't have a clear plan on what to do."
So Aprilia was not addressing Honda when it intimated that it would not bid?
"I don't think so. Of course, not only Honda, but all the teams in the paddock are interested in a rider like Martin - Puig answered - He's a world champion, if you are not interested, you are an idiot. But we would never try to get a rider that has an ongoing contract with someone. Everyone knows this is not Honda's style, we would never go into a problem like this. But if you ask me if we have an interest in Martin as a rider, of course."
What if he leaves Aprilia? "If he was available, he is one of the riders to consider clearly," the manager confirmed.
Another news concerning Honda was given by GPOne.com in the past few days: the possibility of supplying its bikes to the Tech3 team as early as 2026 in case of a reduction in KTM's presence.
"It would be an extra job, but also something to consider in Japan. For the moment it is not on the table, but if the situation changes they will think about it. We have done it in the past, but I don't know what will happen," was the laconic response from Alberto, who before taking his leave wanted to deny rumors of his retirement at the end of the year.
He did so with a laugh: "I don't know where this news came from and why. They talk about my physical condition, but I'm 58 years old and I weigh 54 pounds, I'm fine. I have a problem with one leg, but it's not the end of the world."
