Mikhail Aleshin hints at 'resolved' F1 deal

Mikhail Aleshin says he is likely to be in Formula 1 next year after claiming the 'issue of his participation' has been 'resolved' and an announcement is imminent.

The Russian tested for the Renault team during the recent 'F1 Rookie tests' earlier this month as a prize for his title success in the 2010 World Series by Renault.

However, it is with Force India, Lotus and Virgin that Aleshin has been most recently linked with, the latter team emerging as a frontrunner following the announcement it has sold part a significant share to Russian car manufacturer Marussia.

Indeed, with Russia's F1 involvement growing on the back of Vitaly Petrov's fairly successful first season in the series, Aleshin is believed to be bringing good backing from the likes of Gazprom and Cordiant tyres.

With this in mind, Aleshin told Russian news website gzt.ru that he will have some kind of F1 involvement next year.

"We are considering options and there are some very interesting proposals. I'm not allowed to talk about it, so I'll try for it to be a surprise. In fact, the issue of my participation (in F1) is resolved. But it is not guaranteed, because there are no guarantees in formula one."

Aleshin beat highly-rated Red Bull prot?g? Daniel Ricciardo to the WSbR crown in 2010 after prevailing in a final race showdown.