Jorge Martin has accused Ducati of making “false promises” regarding a promotion to the factory team on two separate occasions. According to reports from gpone.com and BeritaBalap.com, the rider claims that contracts hold little value for major teams, who he alleges “play” with their athletes to suit their needs.
Why Jorge Martin claims Ducati broke their word
The rider expressed frustration over the lack of transparency regarding his career progression within the Ducati ecosystem. According to BeritaBalap.com, Martin stated he was lied to twice by the manufacturer with false assurances that he would be promoted to the factory squad.
This sentiment was echoed in reports from gpone.com, where Martin suggested a systemic issue with how elite teams manage their talent. He argued that the internal politics of the sport often override written agreements.
Contracts do not mean anything to the big teams; they play with the riders.
— Jorge Martin
How the factory seat promotion fell through
The tension stems from a specific window where a move to the factory team seemed imminent. According to Crash.net, Martin has now openly discussed the specific moment his expected promotion to the Ducati factory team was cancelled.
While the rider had performed at a level suggesting he deserved the upgrade, the organizational decision shifted, leaving him in a satellite position despite previous indications to the contrary.
The impact of Marc Marquez on Martin’s trajectory
The arrival and influence of Marc Marquez played a decisive role in the seat allocation. According to iNews.ID, Martin admitted that he was not in a position to compete against the eight-time world champion for the coveted factory spot.
The contrast in the reports highlights a power imbalance: while BeritaBalap.com focuses on the “false promises” made to Martin, iNews.ID frames the situation as an insurmountable competitive hurdle created by the presence of Marquez.
This dynamic underscores the pressure placed on satellite riders who must maintain elite performance while knowing that a factory seat may be reserved for established superstars regardless of current season statistics.
