Jorge Martin tries similar move to Valentino Rossi’s “crazy decision” that led to four titles

“So our approach was: if you come to us, we can win; if you don’t come, it will be very difficult for us. Perhaps he heard what he wanted to hear, because one of the reasons for his choice was that everyone said he was only winning thanks to Honda.

“He wanted to prove the opposite, and that’s exactly what we were looking for. We had the same interest.”

Brivio then highlighted how big the decision was for The Doctor, adding, “It was a crazy decision at the time, if you like, on his part.

“To leave the best bike for a bike that, as a factory team, hadn’t even managed a single podium that year, just one in the wet with Barros at a satellite team. It was a very brave decision that ultimately added so much more value to his career and his successes.”

Jorge Martin’s Yamaha switch for 2027 brings back memories of Valentino Rossi’s bold move

Jorge Martin’s expected switch to Yamaha for the 2027 MotoGP season has drawn clear comparisons to Rossi’s earlier move to the same team.

Just four races into the 2026 campaign, Aprilia are holding down the top two spots in both the riders’ and teams’ standings. Trackhouse are sitting in second place, adding to what has been an impressive early run for the Noale-based outfit.

Yamaha finds itself at the opposite end of that spectrum, stuck at the bottom of the standings for a second consecutive year.

The new regulations coming in next year could give Yamaha a much-needed boost under a fresh set of rules. Even so, with Aprilia looking strong this year, it isn’t hard to see why some might question whether or not Martin made the right choice.

But if Yamaha can return closer to their old form under those new rules, people might end up seeing his decision in a very different light – one that pays off down the line.

Read more:

• Davide Brivio explains why Marc Marquez isn’t concerned by point gap to Marco Bezzecchi
• Aprilia’s new package could suit Francesco Bagnaia as MotoGP prepare for rule changes
• Jack Miller says quitting on Yamaha’s V4 bike is not an option, and Fabio Quartararo should listen