Robert Wickens has his sights firmly set on helping Canada into the top ten in the A1GP standings as the World Cup of Motorsport heads to Australia for the sixth round of the season this weekend.
The 18-year-old rookie steered the maple leaf entry to its highest placing of the 2007/08 campaign in New Zealand with his runner-up finish in the feature race his second podium in as many meetings, and one that lifted the team up to twelfth spot in the title chase.
Although he hasn't yet visited Eastern Creek, Wickens will aim to get up-to-speed quickly during the Friday rookie session as he seeks to help the Canadians avenge the disappointment of twelve months ago, when James Hinchcliffe barrel-rolled out in dramatic fashion.
I know Eastern Creek hasn't been too kind to A1 Team Canada in the past, he admitted, but I'm hoping we can change all that. I'm happy to get the chance to build on our momentum from Taupo, and I see no reason why we can't have another strong weekend.
In Taupo we had consistent pace the entire time, which is more than we can say for many other races this season. We've made steps in the right direction, we're starting to build as a team and we're getting stronger and stronger throughout the year.
We were unfortunate to miss out on two top ten scores in New Zealand, but if we can meet that objective in Australia then there's every chance we'll crack the top ten in the nations' standings. Canada is getting stronger with each race meeting, and I think we're in for an exciting second half to the season.
The recently-signed World Series by Renault ace also put in a good word for compatriot and lifelong friend Hinchcliffe, who he believes should similarly be given another go in the Canadian machine this year, despite his own undeniably strong form of late. Hinchcliffe's highest result of the season to-date was eleventh place in the Brno feature outing back in October.
![Robert Wickens making his competitive A1GP debut for Team Canada in Sepang [pic credit: Jakob Ebrey Photography]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/398921.jpg)
