Narain’s success written in the stars
The Indian Express — March 4, 2005

In a city like this, boasting every star in the Formula One firmament, it would not be out of place to remind people that there was once a 13th sign of the zodiac. No kidding. The constellation Ophiuchus was the only sign of the zodiac that was linked to a real man. But astrologers, convinced that a 13th sign would be unlucky, concentrated instead on the 12 that are still in use today. Narain Karthikeyan is a Capricorn.

Coincidentally, Michael Schumacher, who already has seven world titles under his belt, is also under the same star sign. There is a strange destiny at play here, linking the established monarch of the Grand Prix circuit with the man from Southern India. But Capricorn, the tenth sign of the zodiac, reputedly favours those born in Greece or India. Very interesting, we murmur, and delve further.

Were it not for a decision last week (not made by Karthikeyan, we hasten to add) he would have been racing in his first Grand Prix with the tricolour, the ultimate sign of national allegiance, emblazoned on his helmet. A Capricorn’s weapon is "the secret force". That could be the force of gravity, perhaps, that keeps Karthikeyan’s car anchored to the ground despite the speed it reaches on the corners of the Albert Park circuit. Or even the force of aerodynamics, by which the flow of air across and over his slender monocoque Jordan car is harnessed to gain every ounce of mechanical efficiency.

The dominant tree for a Capricorn is an elm. How could this be significant in the Antipodes, where gum trees, acacia and eucalyptus prosper in harsh, unfriendly terrain? Permit me to point out a little-known nugget of Melbourne’s history. When the first white settlers came here just over two hundred years ago, they planted elms on each side of the Yarra, the better to remind them of chilly England. The elms still exist and could be an interesting omen for Karthikeyan.

According to this very newspaper, things could be very promising in the week ending Saturday. "It could be said that after you were made the mould was broken," the horoscope mentions. "If there’s anything to learn at the moment, it’s that you have your own destiny to fulfil." It is an amazing prediction, taken in the context of Karthikeyan’s entry onto the world stage. And for the week beginning on Sunday, the day of the race, the Express points out that a place "anywhere near water" could be crucial.

Karthikeyan’s first Grand Prix will be on the street circuit at Albert Park, which runs, fittingly, around a huge lake. Today’s astrology page in the hugely popular Melbourne commuter newspaper mX can also be extrapolated to Karthikeyan. "After recent determined efforts," it says, "you deserve tangible results and suitable recognition. With Jupiter at the apex of your horoscope, it appears a bonus, a pat on the back or a promotion could soon come your way".

The astrology column in today’s Herald Sun, the highest-selling newspaper in Victoria, makes interesting reading. Capricorns, the paper says, are "conscious of jobs that need to be done, journeys that must be made, decisions that must be reached and promises that must be kept". Interestingly enough, the column mentions that though a Capricorn’s heart might be torn between two places, the only one that matters is "wherever you happen to be right now".

That place is Melbourne, a city where everything else has stopped to give way to the week-long carnival that is the Australian Grand Prix. More importantly, it is a city where every red-blooded male is craning his neck, hoping to catch a glimpse of the recently-arrived Bo Derek. In scenes reminiscent of the nursery rhyme, they’re all lining up outside her hotel. Each of them wants a little Bo peep.