The MotoGP world is shrouded in concern following the dramatic crash suffered by Jorge Martín, the reigning world champion, during the Qatar Grand Prix on April 13, 2025. The Spanish Aprilia rider, fresh from a triumphant 2024 season, crashed on lap 14 at a fast corner at Lusail, suffering chest trauma with 11 rib fractures and a pneumothorax, as confirmed by Motorsport.com and MotoGP.com. While on the ground, he was hit by Fabio Di Giannantonio, an event described as “the worst scene of my life” by the VR46 rider. Rushed to Hamad General Hospital in Doha, Martin remained in intensive care, raising fears for his future. His girlfriend, María Monfort, left the hospital visibly shaken, sharing six heartbreaking words on Instagram: “It won’t be easy, it’s very serious.” The words have fueled speculation, with some media outlets fearing that Martin “will never compete again.”
The crash came at a critical time for Martin, who had just returned to racing after missing the first three races of the 2025 season due to pre-season injuries. In February, during testing at Sepang, he suffered fractures to his right hand and left foot on a highside, as reported by The Guardian. While preparing for the Thai GP, another crash while training on a superbike resulted in fractures to his left wrist and scaphoid bone, requiring further surgery in Barcelona. Despite these challenges, Martin returned to Lusail with admirable determination, qualifying 14th and showing competitive pace despite persistent pain in his left hand. However, his crash turned hope into tragedy: the pneumothorax required the insertion of a drainage tube and prolonged observation, as detailed by Autosport.
Martin’s condition is being closely monitored. MotoGP medical director Ángel Charte confirmed that the rider is conscious and oriented, but the pain is “intense” due to rib fractures and chest drainage. Aprilia reported that there are no injuries to the brain, cervical spine, or abdominal organs, but the pneumothorax will take time to resolve, with a possible two-week hospital stay before transfer to Spain on a medical flight, according to a post on X by Paddock_GP. Martin himself published a statement thanking the fans and underlining his desire to fight: “I will continue fighting to be among the strongest in history.” However, initial estimates point to a recovery of around three months, ruling it out at least until the German GP in July, according to Autosport.
The impact of the accident goes beyond the physical. Martin, who made history by winning the 2024 title with Pramac Ducati as the first independent rider of the modern era, had moved to Aprilia with high expectations for 2025. His adaptability to the new bike was already compromised by the few laps completed in preseason testing, and now this injury threatens his season and his two-year contract. Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola expressed his solidarity and emphasized that performance takes second place to Martin’s health. Meanwhile, Lorenzo Savadori will replace Martin at the upcoming Spanish GP in Jerez.
The MotoGP community has rallied around the rider. Marc Márquez, who advised Martín not to rush his recovery based on his experience in 2020, called his presence necessary for the championship. Fans, on platforms like X, have flooded social media with messages of support using #FuerzaJorge. However, Monfort’s words and the severity of the injuries have raised extreme fears, with some wondering if Martin will ever be able to return to his former level. His resilience is legendary, but this is the toughest test of his career. While the paddock awaits updates, the hope is that the “Martinator” can transform this dark moment into another chapter of redemption, proving that not even 11 broken ribs can stop a champion.
