"Lukoil offered to sponsor me after my first season racing cars in Russia, and
Red Bull has helped me a lot, from my second season in FRenault," he revealed, before conceding that the drinks brand already has a lot of talent on its books and only four seats in
F1 to fill.
"The Red Bull situation is normal," Aleshin smiled, "But you have to be fast anywhere in motor racing and, if you are fast enough, you will be there."
Just reaching Formula One won't be enough for the likeable teenager, however, as his ambition remains the same wherever he is racing.
"I don't just want to be in
Formula One, I want to win there!" he insists, "It would be a big step for Russia, and I want to win races for my country. I'd like to help them get a grand prix too, as there are a lot of fans in Russia, perhaps getting close to the same number as football."
Although F1 may be a little way off yet, Aleshin reckons that he is ideally placed to figure on the top teams' collective radar, believing that the World Series is on the same level as GP2, one step from the big time. His immediate focus, however, remains on succeeding this season, starting with
Donington Park this weekend.
"I like the Donington circuit as the track suits my driving style," he explains, "It's quick and challenging and, although I was unlucky in the races there last year, I was quick. It's hard to say what we expect for the weekend - but I want to win!"
With only three race weekends to go, Carlin is tied for second place position in the teams' championship, ironically on the same number of points as Victory Engineering, the team it took under its wing at the start of the year. With the departure mid-season of the more experienced Colin Fleming, Aleshin has assumed the mantle of team leader, with the largely-untried Adrian Zaugg alongside him for the remaining rounds.
![Mikhail Aleshin - Carlin Motorsport [pic credit: Renault Sport media]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/249812.jpg)
