Ricciardo Hits Back After Brutal Verdict From Villeneuve And Gets Response

Sunday, 09 June 2024 at 10:33

Daniel Ricciardo was hit with some very harsh comments from Jacques Villeneuve ahead of the 2024 Canadian Grand Prix, and he hit back after scoring P5 in qualifying.

The truth is that Daniel Ricciardo's record against his teammate Yuki Tsunoda hasn't been very good this season. Coming into the ninth season round, the Honey Badger was losing qualifying compared to the Japanese driver 1-7.

This led some people to question whether he deserved his seat in F1, and Jacques Villeneuve was one of them. Speaking to Sky Sports, he openly asked the question of why Ricciardo is still in F1.

The 1997 World Champion then continued to say the Australian driver should leave his place to someone else if he could not perform and that his career was never convincing to begin with.

A day after that, Ricciardo went on to score RB's best qualifying result of the season as he put his car into P5. He confirmed he heard the words of the World Champion as he hit back:

"I heard he's been talking s**t. 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."

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"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."

Villeneuve also spoke after the qualifying, and even though the Honey Badger had partially proven his previous words wrong, he didn't take them back. However, he acknowledged that Ricciardo's performance was great.

"He needs the push, the pressure, and it paid off. It's working well, the car suits him this weekend, and when you have a car that suits you, you drive at your best."

While it was a "good qualifying," the 1997 Champion emphasized it was only "one" and that Ricciardo needs to show he has what it takes repeatedly. He added:

"That was one good qualifying. If he can carry on this weekend like this then do four, five, six more races like that, then he'll be fine. But like he said, he's been lacking consistency this year."

"Stating that RB have been giving Ricciardo "chances. Even during this whole season, it's been a tough season, and he keeps getting a chance, so he needs to show it on track. Today was a good qualifying; he needs to carry on."