Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola believes Jorge Martin made a serious error during the Hungarian Grand Prix and admits a tougher punishment from MotoGP stewards would not have been entirely unjustified.
The reigning world champion was at the centre of a dramatic first-corner incident that triggered a multi-rider crash and eliminated several competitors from contention. Martin was later handed a double long-lap penalty for causing the accident, a sanction he will serve at the next round in Brno.
While Aprilia has publicly supported its rider, Rivola did not attempt to downplay the severity of the mistake. According to the Italian, Martin's actions fell below the standards expected of a rider of his calibre.
Rivola explained that his immediate concern after the race was the condition of the riders involved rather than the disciplinary outcome. Fortunately, none of the affected competitors suffered serious injuries, with most escaping with bruises and minor knocks despite the scale of the accident.
The Aprilia chief revealed that Martin personally apologised after the incident, acknowledging responsibility for the chain reaction that unfolded at Turn 1. Rivola described the crash as an unusual mistake from a rider who has built his reputation on precision and racecraft at the highest level.
Although he stopped short of directly calling for additional punishment, Rivola admitted he would have understood if race officials had taken a firmer stance. His comments reflect the seriousness with which Aprilia views the incident, even as the team continues to back its star rider.
The crash has also renewed debate over consistency in MotoGP stewarding. Some observers have questioned whether penalties for race-ending collisions should be harsher, particularly when multiple riders are affected. Martin's case has become the latest example in a long-running discussion about where the line should be drawn between racing incidents and avoidable mistakes.
For Martin, the focus now shifts to recovery and redemption. The Spaniard escaped major injury and remains a key figure in the championship battle, but he will arrive in Brno carrying both a penalty and the responsibility of proving that the Hungary incident was an isolated lapse rather than a recurring problem.
