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Jorge Martin wants 'united' Aprilia team after Massimo Rivola criticism over Grand Prix Hungary crash - 'I'm so sorry'
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Published 19/06/2026 at 12:36 GMT+1
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Aprilia rider Jorge Martin apologised for causing a dramatic crash at Grand Prix Hungary. The former world champion is battling his team-mate Marco Bezzecchi at the top of the world championship leaderboard for MotoGP this season.
'I want to apologise' - Martin sorry for crash, 'understands' Rivola's position
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Two weekends ago, the former world champion crashed in the first corner of Sunday’s full-length race, for which he will serve a two-long-lap penalty at Grand Prix Czechia.
While the crash was a big blow to his own title challenge - he is 20 points behind team-mate Bezzecchi, who tops the standings on 180 - he also ended the Italian’s involvement in the race, alongside Trackhouse’s Raul Fernandez.
Given Trackhouse are a satellite team for Aprilia, it was a damaging crash at a politically difficult time.
Martin is expected to move to Yamaha for 2027 and in 2025 there were reports he wanted to force an early exit from his deal.
Team boss Massimo Rivola has previously spoken out against internecine tussles while the Italian team look to have the best bike as they chase their first world title, and he followed up by suggesting Martin was fortunate to escape with what he saw as a relatively light censure.
Speaking to the press, Martin was apologetic to Bezzecchi and called for unity.
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'We are working on this' - Bezzecchi reveals what he feels like he still needs to improve
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He explained: ”I think it's time to be more united than ever because, if we are one against one another, it's like shooting ourselves [in the foot]. Like, it's nonsense.
”We have to be intelligent. I will be intelligent. I spoke with Marco after the race, twice. For sure, it was difficult at that moment.
”I spoke today with Massimo and I think we are on the same line. Now it's different compared to two weeks ago and everything is in the same direction.”
He would not be drawn on Rivola, adding: ”Every person has their own opinion. I cannot share everybody’s opinion.
”I was the first one who didn't want to crash into nobody. I'm so sorry for the teams. I just want to learn from that mistake but this is racing.
”Sometimes I make it, sometimes they make it to me, sometimes other riders can crash into other riders. And the important thing for me is to learn and that, luckily, nothing important happened.”
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Martin also defended his part in the crash, denying he had not done anything especially egregious.
”Honestly, I didn't do anything strange,” the former world champion said. ”As soon as I touched the brake, I lost the front, so I released a bit. But in this first-gear corner, as soon as I released, I was really much faster than the rest.
”I tried to brake again, and then I lost a bit more of the front, and then, I completely lost control.
”I really hoped at that point that I was able to recover the control, but it was impossible.
"I learned that maybe I had to brake two meters before. I didn't do anything crazy. I didn't want to overtake but, if I go to Balaton next time, I will be more careful.
"Anyway, I will not lose my sense, I will not lose my hunger, and I will try to overtake always in the first corner as many riders as I can, because this is my instinct, and I will continue to do it. The day I feel I lose this, I will stay at home."
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