Aprilia boss criticises F1 influence after Jorge Martin crash in Qatar as recovery update offered

Aprilia boss Massimo Rivola has criticised Qatar's track layout following Jorge Martin’s serious MotoGP crash.

Reigning MotoGP champion Jorge Martin has seen his 2025 start in a catastrophic manner. After two injuries before the season even started, his Aprilia debut in Qatar saw yet another disaster as the rider crashed resulting in 11 rib fractures and a collapsed lung. Following the onslaught of injuries, Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola has made a pointed comment over the safety of the Qatar track, blaming its overlap with Formula 1.

This weekend will see the rider being transferred to Spain's capital city, Madrid.

"The first good news was when [Jorge] could leave the hospital to go to the hotel," Rivola revealed speaking ahead of this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix. "The other good news is that on Saturday, in two days, he will be able to fly back to Madrid with an ambulance [medical flight].

"In Madrid, they will do some checks at the Ruber International Hospital. After the checks, we start knowing what is the real situation and get maybe an idea of the recovery time."

The rider fell on lap 10 of his Qatar campaign and was hit by Fabio Di Giannantonio, who couldn't avoid him. He was sent to the medical centre straight away and had to have his lung re-expanded.

"We don't want to do any forecast," Rivola said on the timing behind his return. "We want to give him all the time he needs. There's no rush... We want him back one hundred percent.

Jorge Martin, Aprilia Racing Team

Photo by: Noushad Thekkayil - NurPhoto - Getty Images

"The only thing we have to do now is to treat him like a son. If I have a son, I want him back when he's ready to do it and let him feel that we love him and we stay close to [him]. And that is priority number one."

The team chief isn't happy about the situation behind the crash, however, with Rivola blaming the fact that the Lusail International Circuit is shared with F1.

"It could have been a normal crash but that kerb is made for cars and not for motorbikes," Rivola stressed. "When you race at the same track as Formula One, it's difficult to pretend too much. In the balance between F1 and MotoGP, F1 decides!"

For now, the focus remains on Martin's recovery, but it's likely these comments regarding the safety of the track won't be the last we hear.