Carlin's World Series driver Mikhail Aleshin became the first Russian driver to win a major single seater race last month, when he took victory at the season opener in Monza.

The 19 year-old Red Bull driver looked to have the pace to win again at the Nürburgring, but race winning potential was left unfulfilled after a first lap incident in race one. Before the next World Series event in Monaco, Aleshin will make his debut in GP2 in Barcelona, replacing the injured Michael Ammermüller at ART. Here Aleshin talks about being Russia's big racing hope...

Russia doesn't have a particularly strong tradition in motorsport. So how did you get started?
Mikhail Aleshin: I started karting in 1994, but we don't have any big karting championships in Russia so it was quite difficult. My first go kart was built from pipes and beer cans from the garbage which me and my friend built! I won some races, and then we bought a very old chassis from Europe which was like a spaceship to us. After that I went to Europe and raced in the Viking Trophy and European Championships. I had no mechanic at this point and did all the work myself.

In 2003 I started racing in Formula Renault 2.0 in Germany. I did Formula Renault again in 2004 and 2005, and won the championship in Italy and was vice champion in Germany. That's how I came to the attention of Carlin Motorsport with my sponsors Red Bull and Lukoil. And of course last year I raced in World Series by Renault with Carlin.

Was it very difficult to gain sponsorship and backing?
MA: I was really lucky to get the Lukoil sponsorship in 2002, because they were looking for a young driver who might have a good future in Europe. I was trying to find some sponsors and they were trying to find a good Russian driver, so luckily we came together. If it hadn't been for Lukoil I would have stopped racing because I wouldn't have had any more money. Red Bull starting sponsoring me from early 2005 and their support has been very important in my career so far.

Are there any big circuits in Russia?
MA: There aren't any big race tracks. We do have one track that has been built recently which is quite good for Russia, but it's only a very small facility. For Russia though it's a big step. Motorsport is becoming increasingly popular at home now, especially Formula One. World Series has also started to be become popular.

Does being the only Russian driver in this level of motorsport add more pressure to do well and win races?
MA: I suppose it does add a bit of pressure, but I expect to win anyway, so if people at home in Russia expect me to win, they are not putting any more pressure on me than I put on myself.

Is motorsport gaining more coverage now in Russia because of your racing?
MA: Yes, I heard that the TV ratings for the Monza World Series race were more than Formula One, which for me is amazing. Maybe that was because there was a
Russian driver racing and on pole position.

You seem to be more confident this year – both in and out of the car. Do you feel more confident this season?
MA: First of all, I know the team better this year. The problem was that last year I jumped straight from Formula Renault 2.0 to World Series, which is quite a big step, I think I was the only one to do that last season. I was fast at the tests, but when it came to racing, it was difficult to push the car 100 per cent for an entire race so it was difficult. This year, the team is good, it's the best team in World Series, and my engineer Harvey Spencer is great. I feel very confident with him and we understand each other very well, which is very important.

If you won the World Series championship this year you would become the first Russian to win a major single seater championship. Is that a realistic aim?
MA: Yes I think so. I think both I and the team have shown that we have the pace to win races. I am aiming for the championship this season, but of course as well as being fast on track you need a little bit of luck as well. For example I could do with not being hit from behind again on the first lap!!

How are you feeling ahead of your GP2 debut this weekend?
MA: I'm very excited, but I'm also feeling a little apprehensive. Obviously, it's not the ideal way to make my GP2 debut; straight into a race with no testing. I don't think I can expect too much from just one weekend. However, I'm delighted and very grateful to have been given the chance to substitute for Michael (Ammermüller) this weekend, and I hope I do a good job for the team. I've spoken to my World Series engineer who has given me some advice and I know that the whole Carlin team want me to do well. I can't wait to get in the GP2 car.