Villeneuve responds to Ricciardo: 'My push paid off'

Villeneuve says Ricciardo 'will be fine' if he finds consistency

While working for Sky Sports at his home Grand Prix, Villeneuve completely lambasted the Australian, saying "Why is he still in Formula 1? If you can't cut it, go home. There's someone else to take your place."

It has been a tough start to 2024 for the Australian, sitting 14th in the drivers' standings, four places behind his teammate Yuki Tsunoda, who has also signed a contract extension that keeps him at VCARB for 2025, while Ricciardo's future is still up in the air after being out-performed by Tsunoda. 

However, Ricciardo responded both on and off the track. He finished in P5 in a brilliant qualifying performance at the Circuit Gills Villeneuve, and then also hit back at the 1997 drivers' champion in the paddock, saying, "I still don't know what he said, but I heard he's been talking s***, 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."

It was a huge response from Ricciardo to his critics who said he should not be in F1, as well as to Racing Bulls themselves, with the Australian showing that he does have the pace to continue to fight in the world of F1. After that P5 in qualifying, Villeneuve gave his opinion on the Ricciardo situation again, changing his tune from earlier.

"He needs the push, the pressure, and it paid off," said the Canadian, speaking on Sky Sports. "It’s working well, the car suits him this weekend, and when you have a car that suits you, you drive at your best. 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."