MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin is scheduled to make a surprise appearance at the Grand Prix in the Americas this weekend, Aprilia confirmed.
Though it’s not yet enough to make his debut in the RS-GP races, Martin is set to spend time with the Texas team.
Mark Marquez, Ducati’s current championship leader, welcomed the news and called it a “good strategy.”
“That’s good for him and Aprilia,” Marquez said. “We need number one on the racetrack, and in the end, we need Aprilia at the top because the championship with more riders, manufacturers and more manufacturers is a better championship.
“And that’s a good strategy because it’s a new team for him. And while he appears to be in the Qatar Grand Prix, the riders need to adapt to the bike and the team, so it’s a way to adapt to the team.”
His younger brother, Alex Marquez, agreed.
“It’s good to be back at the racetrack and see how the team is working. He only did a day at Montmelo (with Aprilia) and nothing in Sepang, so it’s nice to be able to see him around the paddock.”
Martin’s decision reflects a similar approach adopted by his former teammate Franco Morbidelli, who attended Qatar’s preseason test last year and was used to the new Pramac team before returning to the competition.
“I did the same thing in a Qatar test last year. I couldn’t ride the bike, but I went to Qatar to catch up with my team and went to get engaged,” said Mobidelli, who switched to VR46 in 2025.
“It’s good to spend time with your team because maybe it’s too far from the race and can be counterproductive, and if you’re a new team, it’s even more important if you can’t ride it.
“It would be helpful for him to spend time in the pitbox.”
Martin completed just 13 laps of Aprilia’s preseason tests before suffering a right hand and left foot injury in a crash crash at Sepang.
His planned return at the Thai Grand Prix was derailed by a more serious injury to his left hand in a training accident, eliminating him from at least the first three rounds of the season.
The Qatar Grand Prix will be held from April 11-13, and Martin hopes to ultimately make Aprilia’s racing debut.