Aleshin Seeking To Make Name For Himself In Russia

Mikhail Aleshin goes through hairpin at Long Beach.  [Joe Jennings Photo]

Russia has been in the headlines throughout 2014, starting with the Summer Olympics and more recently with its involvement in the Ukraine.  On a lower-key level, Mikhail Aleshin has become the first Russian to race in the Verizon IndyCar Series, and he’s looking to put Russia on the map in a positive vein.

“There is a lot of attention being paid to me in Russia, as I am the first Russian to race in IndyCar, plus racing is becoming bigger and bigger in Russia,” the Moscow native said.  “We have Formula 1 and a Grand Prix coming, but I am the first person to come over the ocean.  To make the Russian people more aware, I am writing a column, as there isn’t much information available.”

The 26-year old rookie is driving for Schmidt Hamilton Motorsports and in just four races, the quiet-spoken driver has held his own against stiff competition.

Aleshin’s first-ever visit to the United States took place late in 2013 when he flew to Indianapolis to meet his new team and to participate in a test at the Sebring International Raceway.

He arrived in Indianapolis on a cold winter day wearing only shorts and a light shirt, and while he received a warm welcome, he quickly had to purchase winter clothing.  “I didn’t even have a sweater when I got off the plane.  I was like this is the same as in Russia but even colder than in Moscow,” he said.

Asked why he had never visited the US until now, he stated, “I had never had an opportunity to race here, so I had no point to come here.”

Using a simulator and relying upon the guidance of teammate Simon Pagenaud, Aleshin has adapted quickly, owing to his road-course experience.  But he lacks oval-track experience and his first oval race will be in the upcoming Indianapolis 500.

“The Indy 500 is very popular in Europe and everybody in the world knows about this is amazing place, and everyone is driving so fast.  I am far from the limit, but we have a lot of time to work on it.  I think I really like the oval stuff, and the race should be special,” he commented.

As for the most notable races in the world, Aleshin ranks Indianapolis 500, the 24 Hours of LeMans and the Grand Prix of Monaco as the top-three events.

In the first three IndyCar races, Aleshin held his own finishing 12^th the first-time out in the St. Petersburg, earning a hard-fought sixth at Long Beach and dropping to 22^nd at Barber Motorsports Park after tangling with Sebastien Bourdais.

But his fourth outing was a disaster when he plowed into Sebastian Saavedra at the start of the Grand Prix of Indianapolis, ending the day for both of them seconds into the race.   Rebounding is what race drivers do well and the young Russian driver plans to do just that.

To prepare for his freshman season, Aleshin watched videos of the events over last five years and barraged Pagenaud with questions.   “In your first year, preparations are very important,” he said.  “Since I haven’t raced at any of the tracks, I have to do my homework, spending time watching races.  My engineer is sharing his experience with me, which has helped a lot.”

Having Pagenaud on the team has helped immensely.  “Sometimes you have questions that only a race driver can answer,” Aleshin said.

Pagenaud expressed pleasure with Aleshin’s progress to date.  “We have been helping each other a lot.  He has some experience in Formula 1 and has raced fast cars, so we are able to feed off each other.  The car is set-up so he can drive it, and he also tries things with his engineer that really helps us.  When you have two drivers, it is much easier to pinpoint issues.”

With the Grand Prix of Indianapolis completed, Aleshin can now turn his focus to preparations for the forthcoming Indianapolis 500 and the eyes of Russia and the world will be on him as he tries to make a name for himself.

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