The major showdown in Canada was between Jacques Villeneuve and Daniel Ricciardo.
Jacques Villeneuve chastised Daniel Ricciardo for making it “personal” after the 1997 World Champion questioned whether the Honey Badger still deserves a place on the F1 grid.
During the Canadian Grand Prix, Villeneuve didn’t shy away from expressing his dissatisfaction with Ricciardo’s performance this season as he has failed to keep up with his RB team-mate Yuki Tsunoda.
Jacques Villeneuve ‘got under’ Daniel Ricciardo’s skin
He expressed his dissatisfaction with the numerous “excuses” made for the driver, asserting that if they were unable to perform well, they should leave and make way for someone else.
Ricciardo fired back, telling the media: “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.”
It remains uncertain whether it was simply a coincidence or if Ricciardo’s performance was fueled by the criticism, but the RB driver showcased his finest performance of the season. He secured an impressive fifth place in qualifying and ultimately finished in eighth position, earning his inaugural Grand Prix points for the campaign.
However, Villeneuve was unimpressed by Ricciardo’s personal approach and criticized the 34-year-old for not setting a better example as a role model.
The Canadian expressed, “He responded with a touch of personal bias, which is unexpected considering he is a role model. As one of the top 20 drivers, it is crucial to uphold responsibility and professionalism in one’s responses.”
“Remember, children are paying attention to you. Avoid taking things personally.”
I am pleased to have discovered that I frequently pushed myself too hard while playing ice hockey.
However, in the end, receiving criticism is inevitable and it requires a person to have a strong resilience. I managed to deeply affect him, which ultimately had a positive impact on his driving skills. Yet, this alone is insufficient; he must continue to engage in such activities more frequently.
He further stated, “He is under immense pressure. A significant amount of responsibility has been placed on him, and it turned out well. Although he performed excellently in one Sprint race in Miami and had a successful qualifying round, these achievements are insufficient for an entire season. He must replicate such performances more frequently.”
When asked if he was still endorsing his previous statements, Villeneuve responded affirmatively by saying, “Yes.”
“He had speed, but your recent performance determines your worth. We require consistent performance for the upcoming race weekends.”
More on the Ricciardo/Villeneuve feud
Daniel Ricciardo fires back at ‘talking s**t’ Jacques Villeneuve after live TV roasting
‘A driver that can’t cut it’ – Daniel Ricciardo torn apart by Villeneuve on live TV
Daniel Ricciardo is at ‘a very challenging point in his career’
Danica Patrick, Villeneuve’s co-pundit during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, wasn’t as eager to criticize Ricciardo but admits that he is facing some difficulties.
According to Patrick, he is currently facing a highly demanding stage in his career, with setbacks from top-notch teams, periods of absence from racing, and experiencing injuries.
“He recently remarked that he is no longer in his twenties, implying that he cannot maintain the same level of focus. He emphasized the need to prioritize and dedicate oneself entirely to a specific goal, as there are various distractions that could hinder progress.”
“I believe you’ll be able to witness it firsthand this weekend – the clear indication of Yuki’s re-signing might bring a hint of discomfort.”
She believes that the Australian driver took advantage of a successful weekend for Red Bull Racing, as the VCARB01 performed admirably in Montreal.
She stated that both running backs are performing well this weekend. She believes that the cars are handling effectively for them, allowing them to push their limits. Additionally, she mentioned that this particular car demands a decent balance, which they seem to possess.
Scoring two points in the Grand Prix, Ricciardo is up to nine for the season with RB P6 in the Constructors’ Championship on 28.
Read next: Canadian GP conclusions: Villeneuve v Ricciardo and Russell’s new nickname
