MAY 14, 2005
The stars and the sport
The French Grand Prix has developed some new and very interesting promotional activities of late, the most recent being an assessment of how the various Formula 1 drivers will do this summer - based on what a French astrologer says is in the solar charts of the Grand Prix drivers! We may not believe a word of it, but it is fair to say that the most fervent disbelievers will cast a glance from time to time at the horoscope section. The race organisers approached Jean-Yves Espier, an astrologer and behavioural specialist, and asked him to look at the astrological charts of the F1 drivers. He studied the position of the planets in order to discover what astrologers believe will be there natural talents and abilities. In order to find out how they might do at the French Grand Prix, Espier also looked ahead at where the planets will be during the Magny-Cours weekend. These are his conclusions: Michael Schumacher - Scuderia Ferrari (Capricorn) Drive 9 Energy 9 Endurance 9 Adaptation 6 Luck 5 Michael is currently at maximum. He is a typical Capricorn, a great warrior, blessed with endurance, and a strong will. With his drive to succeed and a strong pride, it is not surprising that he has been World Champion seven times. However, he will suffer difficulties during this season which will affect his chances of repeating his past successes. Rubens Barrichello - Scuderia Ferrari (Gemini) Drive 5 Energy 6 Endurance 6 Adaptation 5 Luck 7 Rubens is going to be a very lucky boy this season. Things will come more easy for him than they have in previous years. With Mars in Cancer, he will have ups and down with his moods and skill, but he be will generously looked after by the stars in the course of 2005. Jenson Button - Bar Honda (Capricorn) Drive 8 Energy 7 Endurance 7 Adaptation 7 Luck 5 Button is a perfectionist, sometimes anxious, and lacking self confidence, but he is ambitious and hard working - traits he shares with none other than Michael Schumacher. He's a driver with a future, but there is a hard season in 2005 for him, perhaps too hard to make it on the podium in July. Takuma Sato - Bar Honda (Aquarius) Drive 6 Energy 9 Endurance 9 Adaptation 6 Luck 7 Takuma is blessed with a lot of abilities and wants to do well. He will be protected by the planets throughout the season and for the Grand Prix de France he will surprise more than a few with his talents. Fernando Alonso - Renault F1 Team (Leo) Drive 9 Energy 5 Endurance 5 Adaptation 6 Luck 6 Alonso was born to be a star and, with his dominating personality, he will do what it takes to stay in the public eye. He has a good memory capacity, and will defend his territory, or racing line, tooth and nail. However, he has low energy levels this year and his performances will vary. Giancarlo Fishicella - Renault F1 Team (Capricorn) Drive 8 Energy 8 Endurance 7 Adaptation 7 Luck 5 Giancarlo is talented, optimistic, active and a hard-worker, so he would seem to be a good horse to bet on for success. However, despite these qualities, the sun's position in Jupiter means that he will not show his true potential and talents until November, which is a bit too late for the Grand Prix de France. Mark Webber - WilliamsF1 Team (Virgo) Drive 5 Energy 5 Endurance 5 Adaptation 8 Luck 6 This is going to be a difficult year for Webber, because he is going to suffer from incredible bad luck. This is a shame for this communicative, discreet, charming gentleman because it will mean that it will be difficult for him to prove his driving capacities to Williams this season. Nick Heidfeld - WilliamsF1 Team (Taurus) Drive 8 Energy 9 Endurance 7 Adaptation 4 Luck 5 Nick Heidfeld is a very determined young man with endless amounts of energy. His head-down-and-charge attitude, which is typically Taurean, could affect his career and he needs to learn to be a little more far-sighted. However, with his strong will and drive to prove himself, he might be in a position to pull a podium finish out of the stars for Williams at Magny-Cours. Kimi Raikkonon - Mclaren (Libra) Drive 5 Energy 7 Endurance 6 Adaptation 5 Luck 9 Kimi is charming but he likes difficulty, difficult women, difficult situations and he does not always think about the consequences of his actions. He is not naturally motivated and tends to make a sudden effort when he absolutely has to. The season is going to go down hill for Raikkonen towards the mid-season and does not look to be climbing onto the winners podium at the Grand Prix. Hopefully, his high level of luck will pull him through. Juan Pablo Montoya - Mclaren (Virgo) Drive 5 Energy 5 Endurance 5 Adaptation 7 Luck 6 Juan Pablo is very clever, but he is not always as energetic as he should be. A bit of a chameleon, he adapts well to the changing situations. Unfortunately, it is not this year that he will become World Champion. In Magny Cours he will be in the middle of the pack watching the leaders from behind. Jacques Villeneuve - Sauber (Aries) Drive 9 Energy 9 Endurance 7 Adaptation 4 Luck 5 Jacques Villeneuve needs time to adapt to situations and will not work if he does not want to. Charming, courageous and sometimes naive, he does not always see clearly in the long-term. He tends to concentrate on the short-term, wanting it all now. Jacques was born under a lucky star, protected by the planets, and he will develop late this year, reaching his full potential around the time of the Grand Prix de France. Felipe Massa - Sauber (Taurus) Drive 8 Energy 7 Endurance 7 Adaptation 2 Luck 4 Stubborn, even bull-headed, Felipe is a typical Taurean, sharing the same astrological theme as a rather infamous dictator from the 1940s. Felipe needs time to mature. Unfortunately he was not blessed with under the same stars as his team mate Jacques, and his not destined to have a good season in 2005. Maybe not even in 2006. David Coulthard - Red Bull Racing (Aries) Drive 9 Energy 9 Endurance 8 Adaptation 7 Luck 5 David Coulthard loves his independence, and freedom. The moment he feels he is trapped, you lose him. Strangely enough, astrologically-speaking, he could be a twin to Jacques Villenueve; with tons of talent, though not forward-thinking enough. He has a wonderful sporting destiny and is more than capable of racing out in front. He has distinct possibilities for the Grand Prix de France. Known as lady's man, his success in July may be down to whether Lady Luck is on his arm. Vitantionio Liuzzi - Red Bull Racing (Leo) Drive 8 Energy 7 Endurance 4 Adaptation 7 Luck 8 Leo are the kings of the astrological jungle and Vitantonio has all the characteristics of a typical Leo. He loves to be the centre of attention and needs to be loved and needed. But if you are not careful this cuddly lion cub can turn into a roaring lion. Luizzi is another driver who was born under a good star and the planets this year will be very kind to him. Although sometimes he lacks application, Jupiter will push him on to achieve great things. Will we hear him roar at the French GP? Christian Klien - Red Bull Racing (Aquarius) Drive 5 Energy 5 Endurance 4 Adaptation 6 Luck 5 Christian is a nice, respectful man with the same powers of analyses as Michael Schumacher. He is not as competitive as he could be and seems to fix limitations in his future challenges. He is too careful to push all the way to succeed. Though he at times lacks concentration, he keeps a level head in all circumstances. A difficult one to back for the Grand Prix de France. Jarno Trulli - Toyota (Cancer) Drive 6 Energy 7 Endurance 5 Adaptation 5 Luck 5 Trulli is a sensitive soul, perhaps too sensitive for the Formula One world, and he has been very lucky to have succeeded in such a hard world. He shares very few traits with his fellow drivers, except a similarity with Kimi Raikkinen in that he only works when it is absolutely necessary. Receptive, with a good memory, he knows how to position himself and is very good defender. But will that be enough at Magny-Cours? Ralf Schumacher - Toyota (Cancer) Drive 6 Energy 9 Endurance 8 Adaptation 9 Luck 5 Ralf is one of the more intelligent of the drivers, with a good analysis of situation and lots of energy but he will never win the World Championship. A good listener, who understands quickly, Ralf is as clever as a fox and more adaptable than his team-mate. Will he be able to outwit the pack at Magny Cours? Tiago Monteiro - Jordan (Leo) Drive 9 Energy 5 Endurance 7 Adaptation 5 Luck 6 Tiago is the Napoleon of the Formula One drivers; a perfectionist, he has global vision, intelligence and great ambition. He was born to shine. He knows how to look after himself and his image, though he may have tendencies to lose himself in the glamour and gloss of the business. Unfortunately, his talents will be hidden behind difficulties this season, which is a very sad debut for such a talented driver. Narain Karthikeyan - Jordan (Capricorn) Drive 9 Energy 9 Endurance 9 Adaptation 6 Luck 5 Competitive, and astrologically very similar to Michael Schumacher, Narain suffers from sleeping troubles. He is obsessive, ambitious, and knows how to look after his money and career. He has what it takes to make it in Formula One and is constantly improving. No doubt he will make an impression this year, despite his inexperience. Indian racing fans will be following his career for quite a while yet. Patrick Friesacher - Minardi (Libra) Drive 5 Energy 9 Endurance 9 Adaptation 5 Luck 8 Behind a calm and collected facade, Patrick is very determined. He has the endurance and the will to succeed. He wants to be the best, and loves everything that shines in Formula One. He is absolutely fascinated by the show. He must be careful not to try to do things too quickly or be led into tempting distractions. Christijan Albers - Minardi (Aries) Drive 9 Energy 9 Endurance 6 Adaptation 4 Luck 5 Christijan is a very fortunate man, his capacities are equal to his ambitions. He has a huge vitality, the sense of the attack and strategy. This boy likes to fight, it is an important for him to win as it is for him to breath. With energy and drive he has the perfect character for the profession that he has chosen. He is going to surprise many people.