'Winning is the only thing that counts' - Aleshin

Mikhail Aleshin has a couple of definite goals going into the 2017 Verizon IndyCar series.

"I want to win some races and be more consistent," said the 29-year-old Russian as he embarks on his third season of racing in America with SPM – a stint interrupted by a year largely out of the sport. "Winning is the only thing that counts and I'm not really interested in second place or 10th. But the gap really hurt me and now I'm gong to be able to do back-to-back seasons for the first time, so that should help our performance."

After nearly losing his life in the 2014 season finale at Fontana, Aleshin missed all but one race in 2015 but returned in 2016 with some impressive drives. He had victory at Mid-Ohio in his sights before a pit lane collision KO'd that chance and he won the pole and led 87 laps at Pocono before finishing second to Will Power.

"Yes, we came close a couple of times last year and it was good progress for me and the team," he continued. "The second half of the season was pretty good but we need to start better."

Although he's a veteran of the World Endurance Championship, European Le Mans Series, Formula Renault, GP2, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Aleshin only has eyes for IndyCar.

"I've driven everything in Europe and this is the top level of racing – I expected it would not be easy and it's the most difficult experience of my life," he admitted. "But it's also the most challenging and fastest and I love it.

"It's a racing driver's dream and I really enjoy it. It's my only focus and it's where I want to be, I don't have a back-up plan."

Aleshin had some anxious moments during the winter when it appeared the SMP sponsorship from his homeland might be in jeopardy and he wouldn't be able to pursue his IndyCar career.

"It was a difficult set of circumstances, let's say, but in the end it all worked out and I'm here."

The always-honest native of Moscow also raised quite a firestorm in an interview in which he advised crusaders of safety to leave the sport.

"I caught a lot of flak from people but I said what I felt," declared Aleshin. "If you want to be safe, then sit on your couch. Racing in dangerous – it's part of why people watch it and why we love to do it."