Daniel Ricciardo may have lifted RB to fifth place on the grid in Montreal, but Jacques Villeneuve said it was just “one good qualifying” in a season full of opportunities.
Taking to the microphone for Sky Sports at the Canadian Grand Prix, Villeneuve did not hold back in his criticism of Honey Badger on Friday, declaring the eight-time Grand Prix winner “useless.”
Jacques Villeneuve fights back: good qualifying
Speaking to Daniel Ricciardo, whose 2024 results include five wins and 19 losses in the drivers’ championship, behind teammate Yuki Tsunoda, he said he had too many “excuses”, adding: “If you can’t do it, go home. There are others who can take your place.”
Twenty-four hours later, Ricciardo had qualified in VCARB01 in fifth place on the grid, his best qualifying result of the season.
Ricciardo, who was just 0.178 seconds behind pole sitter George Russell, beat Tsunoda by more than 0.2 seconds.
Asked about Villeneuve’s comments afterwards, he told media: “I heard he was swearing, but he does that all the time. I think he’s hit his head too many times, so I don’t know if he’s playing ice hockey or anything.”
“I don’t have time for him, but those guys are all rubbish. I’d like to say more, but I’m going to leave him alone.”
However, Villeneuve is neither ready nor willing to apologize.
On the feud between Ricciardo and Villeneuve
👉Daniel Ricciardo hits back at ‘badmouthing’ Jacques Villeneuve after being criticised on live TV
👉 “Useless driver” – Daniel Ricciardo slammed by Villeneuve on live TV
Asked about his harsh criticism of Ricciardo, the 1997 world champion said: “He needed the push and the pressure and it paid off.”
However, while he acknowledged that Ricciardo had performed well in qualifying, he pointed out that it was a “one-off”.
“It’s going well, the car suits him this weekend and when you have a car that suits you you can drive at your best.
“It was a very good qualifying.
“If we keep going like this this weekend and do it like this for the next four, five, six races then we’ll be OK, but as he said, we’ve been lacking in consistency this year.”
RB said they had given Ricciardo “opportunities”, adding: “This whole season has been tough but he keeps getting chances and now he needs to show it on the track. Qualifying today was good so he needs to keep doing that.”
Meanwhile, David Croft jokingly suggested Ricciardo owes Villeneuve a “bonus” for inspiring him.
“Daniel Ricciardo needs to be paid a bonus for inspiring Jacques Villeneuve this weekend,” he said on commentary.
“This is Daniel Ricciardo’s best qualifying day so far this season.”
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