Mikhail Aleshin set for return to Schmidt Peterson (Update 1)
12/03/15
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| Mikhail Aleshin – has check will drive |
Motorsport.com reports that Mikhail Aleshin may make his return to the Verizon IndyCar Series with Schmidt Peterson Motorsport.
Back in October, team owner Sam Schmidt was doubtful that he could afford a second full-time car for 2016. He told Motorsport.com, "We have a very short list of two or three drivers, and I’d say it's highly unlikely we can find a full budget this late in the game. I think we can find half a budget, but I’m not sure how many really talented drivers are around with the other half."
However, more recently, Schmidt confirmed there were three drivers on his shortlist for a full-time second seat – Aleshin, Jack Harvey who has twice finished runner-up in Indy Lights for SPM, and Conor Daly who filled in for injured SPM IndyCar ace James Hinchcliffe in four races last year.
However, despite reports earlier this week that Harvey was prime candidate for the drive, these appear to be wide of the mark, and that Aleshin will partner the fully recuperated Hinchcliffe in 2016.
Schmidt told Motorsport.com yesterday: "I am confident that we will get [the deal] done with one of them by next week."