F1 News

Ricciardo responds to Villeneuve criticism

Ricciardo snaps back after Villeneuve roasting: 'Talking s***'

8 June at 23:57

Daniel Ricciardo has hit back at Jacques Villeneuve after the 1997 Formula 1 World Champion told him to "go home" and leave F1 after his results over the last five years in the sport. Ricciardo turned the heat back on Villeneuve with some sharp words and a P5 result in qualifying for the Canadian Grand Prix.

In fact, Ricciardo was less than two-tenths shy of starting on pole position in his Visa Cash App RB car. His teammate, equipped with a new contract in his pocket, also finished inside the top ten but will start behind the Australian. 

Ricciardo hits back at Villeneuve

Jacques Villeneuve does not understand why Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo is still racing in the premier class of motorsport. The good-humoured Australian has already faced a fair amount of criticism this season, and Villeneuve is not supporting the man from Perth either. The former Formula One driver openly wonders what Ricciardo is still doing at Visa Cash App Rb (VCARB). 

"If you can't cut it, go home. There's someone else to take your place. That's what's always been in racing. It's the pinnacle of the sport. There's no reason to keep going and to keep finding excuses. His image has kept him in F1 more than his actual result," Villeneuve told Sky Sports.

Ricciardo responded on track with a P5 in qualifying and then reacted with some strong words in the paddock. "I still don't know what he said, but I heard he's been talking shit, 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 could suck it. I want to say more, but it's alright, we'll leave him behind," Ricciardo told GPblog and other outlets in the paddock.

Ricciardo has often performed well in Canada. It's the second time he has qualified inside the top five at the venue since he left Red Bull Racing. The Australian won his first ever Formula 1 Grand Prix in Montreal in 2014.