Former Formula Renault 3.5 champion Mikhail Aleshin has signed for Tech 1 Racing, continuing his comeback in the series for a second season.
The Russian, who won the FR3.5 championship for Carlin in 2010, returned to the Renault fold last year to lead a new squad from his homeland: Team RFR. Aleshin could only manage 13th in the standings as RFR struggled, and the team left the series at the end of the 2012 season to be replaced by AV Formula.
Despite struggling on his return, the 25-year-old believes that signing for Tech 1, which nearly won the championship last year with Jules Bianchi, and challenged Aleshin for the 2010 title with Daniel Ricciardo, will enable him to fight for a second title.
"I'm very glad to start a co-operation with Tech 1," said Aleshin. "It's no secret that the French team is one of the strongest.
"Three years ago during my championship campaign it was Tech 1 who were our strongest opposition. But now we're working together and have one aim in front of us: to win both the drivers' and teams' championships."
Aleshin will partner GP2 convert Nigel Melker at Tech 1 this season.
Aleshin's Formula Renault 3.5 record
Debut: 2006
Races: 87
Championships: 1 (2010)
Wins: 4
Podiums: 15
Poles: 4
Fastest laps: 3
Laps led: 132
Active years: 2006 (12th), 2007 (12th), 2008 (5th), 2010 (1st), 2012 (13th), 2013
2013 Formula Renault 3.5 lineup so far:
Tech 1 Racing Nigel Melker Mikhail Aleshin
Arden Caterham Pietro Fantin Antonio Felix da Costa
Fortec Motorsports Oliver Webb Stoffel Vandoorne
ISR Sergey Sirotkin TBA
Lotus TBA TBA
Carlin Jazeman Jaafar Carlos Huertas
Comtec Racing TBA TBA
International Draco Racing Nico Muller TBA
DAMS Kevin Magnussen Norman Nato
P1 Motorsport Will Stevens Matias Laine
Pons Racing Zoel Amberg TBA
AV Formula Arthur Pic Yann Cunha