Aleshin aims to be the second Russian in F1 in 2011

There could be two Russian drivers on the Formula 1 grid in 2011. As Russia plans to stage a GP in the future, Vitaly Petrov looks set to renew his contract with Renault.

“It seems to be good news for Vitaly,” team manager Eric Boullier said recently.
And Mikhil Aleshin, the new Renault World Series champion, could be the second Russian driver to drive an F1 in 2011. Aleshin tested the Renault R30 in Abu Dhabi, and said he needs 10-15 million sponsorship of euros to secure the seat of a smaller team. In a recent interview for the Russian website gzt.ru, he claimed to have reached an agreement with a team whose name he did not want to reveal. The latest news talks about him being in orbit with Force India, Lotus and Virgin. “We are evaluating what is offered to us, and there are very interesting proposals,” said Aleshin, 23.
“I'm not allowed to talk about it, so it will be a surprise. In fact, the question of my participation in the F1 championship is resolved. But it's not a guarantee, because there are no guarantees in Formula 1,” she explained. Aleshin's sponsors include state-owned Gazprom and tire company Cordiant.

Filippo Ronchetti