Daniel Ricciardo expressed incomplete thoughts about Jacques Villeneuve.
Daniel Ricciardo said Jacques Villeneuve is always “talking s**t” and suggested the Canadian had “hit his head a few too many times” following Villeneuve’s strong criticism.
The guest pundit on Sky F1 expressed strong criticism towards Ricciardo, questioning his presence in the sport. However, Ricciardo responded superbly by delivering a remarkable qualifying performance at the Canadian Grand Prix.
Daniel Ricciardo fires back at Jacques Villeneuve
During his appearance on Sky for his home grand prix, Villeneuve strongly criticized Ricciardo, stating that the current RB driver should “return home” and stating that he lacked the necessary skills to compete in the sport.
However, although Villeneuve’s opinion may be subject to debate, Ricciardo proved him wrong by securing a P5 placement in this weekend’s race, marking RB’s best qualifying result of the season.
When asked about Villeneuve’s comments, Ricciardo confessed that he hadn’t heard them completely, but he wasn’t taken aback by their content.
He informed the media that he has heard rumors of him speaking negatively. He added that this is a common occurrence and believes that he may have suffered numerous head injuries. Hence, he questions whether the person in question participates in ice hockey or a similar sport.
“I refuse to acknowledge him, while all those people can deal with it. I have more to say, but we’ll move on without him.”
Ricciardo attributed his strong performance over the weekend to his unwavering confidence in the car since FP1, as well as his dedication to self-reflection outside of the track.
“He explained that ever since we parked it yesterday, I had complete faith in it. The car felt impressive, allowing me to drive with a bit more intensity and gain better control. Overall, I had a positive impression of the vehicle.”
“Our continuous goal is to constantly improve the car’s performance, but I must also prioritize self-reflection to ensure that I am in a positive state to achieve such outstanding outcomes.”
More on the Ricciardo/Villeneuve feud
‘A driver that can’t cut it’ – Daniel Ricciardo torn apart by Villeneuve on live TV
Jacques Villeneuve’s bold and savage quotes: Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton targeted
“It has been noticeably more challenging for me to find that perfect balance this year. When I reflect on my victory at this venue 10 years ago, it seemed to come effortlessly.”
“After my experience in Monaco, I made an effort to gain a deeper understanding. Previously, I solely focused on the on-track aspects such as braking points and maneuvering techniques. However, I realized that there might be additional factors influencing my performance. I started questioning myself, whether I entered each race weekend feeling sufficiently energized or certain emotions were lacking.”
“After Monaco, I believe I benefited from a brief but effective self-reflection session. I took a step back and evaluated my activities outside of the track, realizing that I may have been dedicating too much time to others. Consequently, on race day, I found myself lacking some enthusiasm.”
“As I am aware of my capabilities, I understand that there is always room for improvement. However, I have confidence in my abilities and it is important for me to ensure that I am consistently in the right position to showcase them.”
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