Carlo Pernat, an influential figure in the MotoGP paddock, revealed details about the possible negotiations between Jorge Martín and Honda, following rumors that the world champion might be looking for a way out of Aprilia.
‘I know Valera, Martín’s manager, like the back of my hand,’ Pernat said quoted on MowMag. ‘I don’t think it was Honda who sought him out, but rather he who arranged a talk with Honda.’
The Italian believes the approach might have emerged during conversations about another rider. ‘I am more inclined to think that Valera was perhaps talking to Honda about Acosta and that, given that Acosta only wants to move from KTM to Ducati, dismissed the hypothesis of Martín. Perhaps showing the clause itself. For the series: Pedro says no, but if you want there is a viable route to reach Martín,’ he explained.
According to Pernat, if the separation between Martín and Aprilia materializes, Honda will be ready to move forward: ‘If Martín manages to free himself from the ties with Aprilia, they will call him with an offer in hand that only a giant like Honda could afford. […] I believe that in any case we will go to lawyers, and rightly so, and that in any case the separation will not be entirely painless, in economic terms, for Martín.’
For the experienced manager, the situation illustrates a broader problem in MotoGP: ‘Do you remember when a few years ago, I said that contracts were no longer worth anything? And that we were taking a dangerous path? Now, don’t say I didn’t antecipated it all.’