Daniel Ricciardo has hit back after Jacques Villeneuve’s brutal opinion on his career at the Canadian Grand Prix
An F1 title winner in 1997, ex-Williams driver Villeneuve offered a stunning takedown of the Australian ahead of qualifying.
Ricciardo himself would likely admit he’s not fulfilled some of his potential in recent years after tough spells with Renault and McLaren.
He has though proved his resilience by winning back a place on the grid after leaving the latter in 2022.
Now with Visa Cash App RB, after excelling as Red Bull’s third driver and impressing in testing, he’s aiming for his first points of the season in Canada.
However, Villeneuve is of the opinion he shouldn’t be there.
“Why is he still in F1?” Villeneuve said on Sky F1. “We’re hearing the same thing for the last five years. We have to ‘make the car better for him, poor him’, no. You’re in F1.
“Maybe you make that effort for Lewis Hamilton, who has won multiple championships. You don’t make that effort for a driver that can’t cut it.
“If you can’t cut it, go home. There’ll be someone else to take your place.
“That’s how it’s always been in racing. It’s the pinnacle of the sport. There’s no reason to keep going and finding excuses.
“You all talk about those first two seasons, he was beating a [Sebastian] Vettel that was burnt out and trying to invent things. Then he was beating for half a season an 18-year-old Verstappen. He stopped beating anyone after that.”
But Ricciardo was having none of it.
A stunning qualifying session, along with teammate Yuki Tsunoda saw him earn a fifth-place start for the race on Sunday.
And he issued a blunt response to Villeneuve.
“I heard he’s been talking s**t,” said Ricciardo. “But he always does. I think he’s hit his head a few too many times. So I don’t know if he plays ice hockey or something
“I won’t give him the time of day but all those people can suck it. I want to say more but we’ll leave him behind.”
Meanwhile, in another interview he added: “Top five all weekend. We’re less than two-tenths from pole, so… they can eat s***.”
The Canadian Grand Prix will get under way at 7pm (BST) on Sunday and Ricciardo would no doubt love it to retain his position or go even better to further stick it to Villeneuve.
News Summary:
- Daniel Ricciardo aims brutal X-rated clap back at F1 title-winner after shock comments at Canadian Grand Prix
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