Australian Grand-Prix (9 March):

After a stunning pole position, Villeneuve crashed out on the first corner. Many critics blamed the so-called "kamikaze" Eddie Irvine on the accident, but the highly regarded French magazine Sport-Auto didn't clear Villeneuve from responsibility. So, it wasn't just hard luck. On the other hand, Frentzen delivered a convincing race, leading and claiming victory till the final 3 laps when his brake system collapsed. This was part 1 of his breakup with Ms. Luck in 1997.

Brazilian Grand-Prix (30 March):

Villeneuve again took an excellent pole position while Frentzen struggled to find a good set-up (being new in the team, he was forced to use Damon Hill's set-ups, who has a totally different style of driving) and ended up eighth on the starting grid. On the first start of the race, Michael Schumacher overtook Villeneuve who pushed hard and went wide, damaging his car. But Lady Luck smiled for Jacques, and Barrichello stalled his engine resulting in another start. Jacques Villeneuve had the time to go and take the spare car and subsequently won the race. Meanwhile, Frentzen was struggling with suspension problems that prevented him from delivering a decent race. It was part 2. During this Grand-Prix, the Canadian scored his only fastest lap of the first eleven races!

Argentinean Grand-Prix (13 April):

In contrast with the previous Grand Prix, there wasn't any red flag after the first corner chaos, which prevented Michael Schumacher from reaching the pits and taking the spare car. In a race marked by the excellent performance of the Ferrari driven by Eddie Irvine, Schumacher could have won if he had stayed in the race. We can't forget also how Panis was quickly closing the gap to Villeneuve before he was forced to abandon. And, how Villeneuve had gearbox problems that suddenly disappeared when he was caught by Irvine. So Lady Luck again helped Villeneuve in his victory while she still didn't have any pity on the poor Frentzen, who abandoned in the fifth lap due to clutch failure while in second place. Part 3 is over.

San Marino Grand-Prix (27 April):

For once, the roles were reversed and Frentzen deserved this win to silence all the nonsense critics. He proved to be a winner when problems were not in sight. On the other hand, the Lady reminded Villeneuve that he couldn't be lucky all his life. Villeneuve abandoned due to gear selection problems although he wasn't leading the race when the troubles occurred. Score = 3-1. Both Williams drivers were given a one race ban (suspended for two races) for not respecting a yellow flag during the qualifying session.

Monaco Grand-Prix (11 May):

Lady Luck didn't fool around this time as both drivers went out of the race by their own mistakes following a team strategy mistake. Michael Schumacher produced one his best performances under the difficult conditions. Frentzen saved his weekend by grabbing his first pole position.

Spanish Grand-Prix (25 May):

What can we say about it? Could you believe that a strike in the Goodyear factory in Akron decided the result of this race (Sport-Auto N°426)? Is it fair that, due to this strike, many drivers couldn't get well prepared tires and had blisters after just a few laps? And, why is it that Villeneuve is the lucky one to get the proper tires and not Frentzen, or Schumacher or Coulthard? Lady Luck, can you please explain us why? Score = 4-1.

Canadian Grand-Prix (15 June):

Before the Grand-Prix, everyone was expecting Villeneuve to have a severe punishment from the FIA for his violent language against the regulations. Luckily for him, he was only scolded and not forced to withdraw (like Alain Prost did a few years ago). Villeneuve couldn't hold the pressure of th public -- and of Schumacher -- and crashed on the second lap, while the unlucky Frentzen had a bad first set of tires that ruined his race. Score = 5-1.

French Grand-Prix (29 June):

Villeneuve had an average race, despite the over-takings in the last laps. His hazardous attempt over Irvine ended up with a spin. He recovered and maintained his fourth place ahead of Alesi, but was later called by the race officials (check French Sports newspaper L'Equipe of June 30) concerning his dangerous way in returning to the track. As usual, he just received a verbal warning, and the lucky Canadian got away with his three points. Score = 6-1. Frentzen had a much more convincing race, ending up second behind Michael Schumacher, boosted by the 046/2 engine.

British Grand-Prix (13 July):

Lady Luck was back on form. First, Villeneuve didn't respect the Safety Car rules and was given a race ban, suspended - as usual - for one race. For the fourth time this season, Villeneuve escaped punishments and this reminded us much of the 1994 season when Michael Schumacher was disqualified for two races and banned from two others for stupid reasons. We started wondering if this Lady Luck is the Guardian Angel of the Canadian. During the race, Villeneuve had a long first pit stop that seemed to ruin his race, and we started thinking that the Lady has abandoned her beloved son. However, She never disappeared and found a small problem on Schumacher's car to force him to abandon while he was comfortably in the lead. Then, she blew up Mika Hakkinen's engine, preventing him from grabbing his first and well deserved victory. We all remember Frank Williams admitting afterwards that Hakkinen deserved this victory! This was really unfair and the score is now 7-1, as the unlucky Frentzen was hit from behind by "Jos the Boss" Verstappen, after being forced to start from the back of the grid. Unbelievable!

German Grand-Prix (27 July):

Lady Luck played a smaller role in Germany, as Frenzten's accident wasn't only his fault. Villeneuve had a very disappointing performance and ended up in the gravel, probably by his own mistake. We can leave the score as it is, but don't go away, because the Lady will strike back!

Hungarian Grand-Prix (10 August):

Her Supreme Highness Lady Luck of Formula One produced her lifetime masterpiece in Budapest! After a bad start, we all thought that Villeneuve wouldn't have a chance of a win in the race after being placed fifth on the first corner on a circuit where over-taking is almost impossible. But his Guardian Angel was - as always - there. Troubles to the leaders began with Michael Schumacher, who started having blisters early in the race despite being dominant all weekend and looking the favorite to win. Then the Lady was - as always - unfair with Hakkinen who blew up his engine while being in front of her Canadian Teddy Bear. After the first set of pit stops, it looked like Frentzen, who was using hard tires, was on a one-stop strategy. He was flying and recording his fastest lap, 0.7 seconds faster than everyone, and was building a comfortable lead over Damon Hill, till he had problems with his refueling system and was forced to quit a race in which he seemed to be the winner. So, we continued wondering why all the Williams-Renault problems seems to fall on his head? What has he done to Lady Luck to make her hate him so much? As the race reached its final laps, we thought that Damon Hill would score his best victory in his whole carrier. But no! The Witch was still there to help her beloved son in his lucky win again. Score = 8-1 and maybe 16-1!

Oh Lady Luck, would you please smile on drivers who deserve it? Or shall we call you Lady Injustice?

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