São Paulo, Brazil – Following a strong fourth-place finish at the season-opening Grand Prix in Thailand, Aprilia Racing rider Jorge Martin is looking to build momentum as the 2026 MotoGP World Championship heads to Brazil. The Spaniard spoke with journalists on Thursday ahead of the GP del Brasile, expressing growing comfort with his new machine and outlining his approach to the unique challenges of the Autódromo Internacional de Brasília.
Martin, who switched to Aprilia during the off-season, acknowledged the need for continued adaptation but emphasized his positive physical condition and the progress made with the RS-GP. The 2026 season marks a new chapter for Martin and early signs suggest a competitive pairing with the Italian manufacturer.
Adapting to the RS-GP and the Brazilian Circuit
“I experience good,” Martin stated. “The last race was good, actually. But today we are here in Brazil, a different track, a different challenge. And for the season, I feel good. I feel like I’m improving a lot from the physical point of view, and I feel prepared for what’s coming. Last season was much harder. I wasn’t really at 100% for the whole year, so now I’m much closer to that physical level that I really want.”
While pleased with his initial performance, Martin recognizes the need for more track time to fully unlock the potential of the Aprilia. “I still miss a little bit of time,” he admitted. “I’ve only done two days of testing, so I need more time. Thailand was good, for sure, but it’s a really straightforward track, let’s say, not very complicated. We’ll see here. It’s a good opportunity to have time to develop the base, to adapt a bit more the bike to my style. But in general, the bike is working very well, and the team is helping me a lot to reach that level very soon.”
The month-long break between races, necessitated by logistical changes to the calendar, won’t hinder his progress, according to Martin. “No, I think the time I need is on the MotoGP bike. We still have two races to adapt a bit more, then I have another month to get even fitter, to be even more prepared in Europe. So I think it’s positive. It’s not positive that they changed the race, but it’s positive that I will be more ready at the conclude of the year when we arrive in Qatar.”
Aprilia’s Strengths and the Competitive Landscape
The Autódromo Internacional de Brasília presents a different challenge than the stop-and-go nature of Buriram, Thailand, where the season began. Martin acknowledged Aprilia’s historical strength on flowing circuits but cautioned against making assumptions. “In the past, it was said that one bike was good for one track and another for another, but Thailand was completely stop and go, and we were very fast. Then Montmeló last year was considered the Aprilia race, and we finished tenth. So I don’t know, we’ll see. I think KTM, Ducati, and Aprilia are now all at a very high level, so it depends more on the riders adapting to the track and understanding how to go fast. Surely, I think it will still be a good race for Aprilia.”
The competitive balance within MotoGP has shifted, with Ducati and Aprilia establishing themselves as frontrunners. According to a report from February 22, 2026, KTM’s Pedro Acosta described the pace of Ducati and Aprilia during testing as “scary,” highlighting the challenge facing the Austrian manufacturer. Yahoo Sports reported on Acosta’s assessment, underscoring the intensity of competition at the top of the sport.
Navigating the Brazilian Circuit and Building Confidence
Martin expressed his initial impressions of the Brazilian circuit, noting its complexity and the need for precision. “It seems nice, it’s complicated, it’s different from what we’re used to, so it will be essential to adapt and attempt to find a good line. It also seems a bit dirty, so it’s also very complicated given that you have to be very focused on the line, not go off the trajectory, like I did in Indonesia 2023 for example. So it will be captivating to see how it goes and which riders will be fast right away.”
A challenging 2023 season, marked by missed races, has fueled Martin’s determination to improve. He identified a specific area for development: confidence when entering corners. “I’m missing a little bit of confidence on the bike when I release the brake and go into the corner. I feel that he [Bezzecchi] rides a bit better than me, but that’s the only point where I feel a bit weak at the moment, so I’m working on it, and it’s just a matter of time to have that confidence and start to be a bit faster.” When asked how long that might take, Martin responded, “I don’t know, I’m in a process, and it will take the time it takes, but I hope as soon as possible.”
Comparing the current season to his initial experiences with the Aprilia, Martin acknowledged significant progress. “Yes, it’s been big. The improvement has been big, but even during last season, I tested the bike in several races, so I had already felt the difference. I won’t go into specifics on where it’s better, but in general, the bike is going better.”
The Autódromo Internacional de Brasília, located in the Federal District of Brazil, presents a unique challenge for MotoGP riders. The track’s layout, combined with potentially variable weather conditions, will demand adaptability and precision from all competitors. The race is scheduled for March 22, 2026, offering fans a thrilling spectacle as the championship battle intensifies.
As the MotoGP paddock settles into Brasília, all eyes will be on Martin and his Aprilia as they strive to translate pre-race optimism into on-track performance. The Brazilian Grand Prix promises to be a pivotal moment in the 2026 season, setting the stage for a compelling championship fight.
Next up: The Argentinian Grand Prix at the Autódromo Termas de Río Hondo on April 5, 2026. Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage of the MotoGP World Championship.
