"I hope the setup of the car is good," he said on Thursday after taking his usual round of the racetrack. He then had a long interaction with the team engineers ahead of the practice session on Friday morning.
"For the last two races, we have had problems with the car and we have not managed to get many points. But this time, we hope to get a bagful and I am optimistic. I will be very happy if we get good points," the former Jordan-Toyota Formula One driver said.
"I think a top six position would be a good thing," said Karthikeyan, who won the feature event in the fourth round of the A1 GP in Zhuhai (China) in December. India are currently 12th with 28 points.
Street circuit
The event at Durban will be the only round to be held on a street circuit. Naturally, it only adds to the thrill for the spectators. But for the drivers, it is all the more reason to be cautious since a mistake means sure elimination from the race.
"A street race is very exciting. There are not many changes they have made from the last year's circuit. I will put it after the street circuits in Macau and Monaco. However, there is no room for error, there is no gravel trap and that will be at the back of the mind," he said.
The hot and humid weather here too could be tough on the drivers.  "It is going to be physically demanding but we are preparing," he added.