Championship leader Aleshin earns Renault F1 test

Formula Renault 3.5 championship leader Mikhail Aleshin will be behind the wheel of an F1 car in two weeks time, having earned himself a test in the Renault F1 car. As a prize for leading the Formula Renault 3.5 championship at the mid-way point of the season, the Russian racer will test the Renault at the next World Series event in Magny Cours on 19th June. Despite a tough weekend for Carlin in the Czech Republic, Aleshin currently leads the championship by three points.

Mikhail Aleshin Credit: Carlin

Mikhail Aleshin made a steady start to the fourth round of the 2010 Formula Renault 3.5 season on Saturday, qualifying fifth for the first race of the weekend despite problems with traffic and several yellow flag periods. Team mate Rosenzweig meanwhile, who had shown promising pace in Monaco and stormed to pole in Spa-Francorchamps struggled on his first visit to the Brno circuit and lined up 24th for Saturday afternoon's race.

As the lights went out for the start of race one on Saturday, Aleshin made a strong start, moving up to fourth place and closing in on third place man Brendon Hartley. However, the Russian soon saw his race come to an early conclusion as he was tagged by the car behind, causing a puncture to his rear right tyre. Forced to pit for a replacement at the end of lap one, Aleshin was immediately out of contention. The Carlin man returned to the track and set the fastest lap of the race, but then returned to the pits when it became clear points were impossible. Team mate Rosenzweig meanwhile had made progress from his starting position and was 17th by lap two. In a relatively uneventful race, Rosenzweig made up one further position to cross the line 16th.

Having been amongst the top five in every session of the weekend so far, championship leader Aleshin had high hopes for the second qualifying session on Sunday morning. However, as the 30 minute session drew to a close, Aleshin had struggled to put in a flying lap and had qualified in an unfamiliar 16th place, with team mate Rosenzweig 21st.

The race got off to an untidy start as a multi-car accident brought out the safety car early on. Both Carlin drivers managed to avoid the incident, but found themselves in traffic in the run up to the pit stop window. Both Aleshin and Rosenzweig made good pit stops and as all the cars returned to the track were 11th and 16th respectively. As the race entered the final stages, Aleshin was desperate to score points and managed to cross the line in ninth place, adding two precious points to his tally. Rosenzweig came home in 16th.

Reflecting on the Czech event, Aleshin said, "It was a really tough weekend; I think I'll be glad to leave Brno after four days on track here! I was really unlucky in race one; I think we could have been looking at a podium finish, or at least fourth if hadn't been for the puncture. We still managed ninth on Sunday, which was a disappointing result, but I think every point is going to count this season."

Speaking about his F1 test, the Carlin driver added, "For me it is a big privilege to be given the chance to do this run in the Renault F1 car in Magny Cours and it is great that the World Series organisers give drivers opportunities like this. I am really looking forward to getting back into an F1 car again. Having said that, my main aim is to win the championship; that is my focus. This demo run is a great bonus, but I won't be happy unless I am still leading the championship at the end of the season."

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