Ricciardo rebukes Villeneuve again: 'I don't talk s**t about others'
F1 News
- Ludo van Denderen
For several months now, we have known for sure: Jacques Villeneuve is no fan of Daniel Ricciardo. The Canadian former world champion has on several occasions and in a way that left no ambiguity, made it known that he finds it incomprehensible that Ricciardo still has a place in Formula 1. The Australian has also responded to this before, but Villeneuve's words have apparently struck a nerve after all. Speaking to The Mirror, he himself quotes Villeneuve's statements again.
Like many drivers, Ricciardo says he does not read what appears in the media about him. That does not mean he never hears what stories have appeared. From his team Visa Cash App RB, for example, Ricciardo learned how Villeneuve stated that the Australian was allowed to stay in the sport because of his image and not his results.
In the British newspaper, Ricciardo now reveals that he would never talk about others in such a way. "I could comment on other drivers and be like, 'Yeah, he's gone through a rough patch', but I would never talk s**t about someone because I can relate, and I know what they've gone through. No-one can strap themselves and do this, it's such a rare sport," Ricciardo said.
Is Ricciardo speaking the truth?
A little fact check: After Villeneuve had been allegedly harsh about Ricciardo, the latter did respond back viciously. At the time, the former Red Bull Racing driver said, "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 said.
This article has been written in collaboration with Matt Gretton