Carlin signs Aleshin, Chilton for GP2

Russian Aleshin graduates to GP2 after winning the Formula Renault 3.5 championship last year.

He also took part in the young drivers test with the Renault F1 team after the end of the season, and admitted in November that he was hoping to secure a racing seat in F1 for this year.

The Russian, however, was delighted to have landed the Carlin deal.

"First of all it is an amazing feeling to be with a great team again, especially after what we achieved together last year," he said.

"I am very pleased that I have this chance to drive with Carlin one more time and I'd like to thank them for this opportunity. I know how important this year is for the team with it being their first season in GP2 and I am determined to give 100 per cent for them.

"The GP2 car has changed quite a bit - which is very important for me as a driver. There have been changes made which will make it a slightly more level playing field in my first season in the series.

"Also, the car this year will be even closer to an F1 car - in terms of power, aerodynamics and tyres, and this was one of the main reasons that I chose to race in GP2 this season."

Briton Chilton joins Carlin after having completed a season in GP2 with Ocean Racing Technology in 2010.

Chilton returns to the team after having raced for it in the British F3 championship in 2009.

"I'm really happy to be back with Carlin; I have a lot of good memories from my time with the team in 2009 and it feels very right to be with them in GP2," he said.

"I learnt a lot in my rookie season and I feel like I'm really going to be able to make the most of those lessons now with Carlin. There's a really good team of people here and I feel very confident that we have a package that will enable me to challenge for podiums this season."