Actually, in a crowded, twisty criterium, I would make sure to start in the front, and go absolutely balls out for the first few laps to make sure you can sail through the corners without braking and hold a good line.
Don't blow yourself up, but stay in the top 5 even if you feel like you are really on the edge. Just remember that no matter how hard it is at the front, it is going to be 10X harder in the back with all the braking and accelerating out of corners. Drafting is only a big advantage when there isn't constant breaking and accelerating.
Easy to say....hard to do.
But you will see that once you start slipping back, your life becomes hell and you are hanging on by your fingernails.
Edit: I see it is "narrow" but you didn't really specify how twisty it is. Sit in if you can safely and not have to brake/accelerate a lot. It is always better near the front though; and although everyone wants to be there, that is why they want to be there.
