Taupo (New Zealand), Jan 17: Narain Karthikeyan is all set to lead A1 Team India's challenge in the fifth AIGP race slated for January 20 here.

A1 Team India after a brilliant win this season at Zhuhai in December now has 27 points and is at an unprecedented 10th position in the standings. Team India is now eyeing to move upto top five position finish as the season progresses. A1 Team India driver, Narain Karthikeyan who won the most one-sided poll ever for 'Driver of the Day' at Zhuhai said, ''We will definitely be looking at improving our standing at Taupo from last year.

A podium finish does not seem too distant but only time will tell.'' Karthikeyan also drove for A1 Team India last year here and finished in 7th and 10th place respectively in the Feature and Sprint race.

The race promises a lot of excitement for fans across the world as the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport will make history as all 22 national teams will take to the track with biofuel in their tanks.

A1GP's inaugural meeting here last January was widely touted as a huge success, but some of the drivers found it tough to overtake around the 3.5 km layout.

In a bid to make this season's event even better, encouraging more overtaking, one of the last corners on the circuit has been tightened up to create an extra opportunity for passing.

UNI