Jacques Villeneuve fires back at Daniel Ricciardo as explosive war of words continues

Former F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve has returned serve at Daniel Ricciardo, criticising the Australian driver for making their recent war of words ‘personal’.

Villeneuve started the feud by questioning why Ricciardo is still in F1, stating that his image has ultimately saved his career in a savage live television rant ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix.

After his best qualifying performance of the F1 season and nabbing fifth place on the grid, Ricciardo fired back at Villeneuve. 

‘I heard he’s been talking s**t. But he always does,’ Ricciardo told media.

‘I think he’s hit his head a few too many times. So I don’t know if he plays ice hockey or something.’ 

Daniel Ricciardo (pictured) told media that he’d heard Jacques Villeneuve had been ‘talking s**t’ after qualifying fifth for the Canadian GP

Villeneuve thinks the Honey Badger’s remarks were too personal and that he should be more responsible.

‘His reaction was a little bit personal and he’s a role model,’ he said.

‘Like all these 20 (drivers), you’re at the top level, you have to be responsible in your answers, professional.

‘Kids are listening to you. You cannot make it personal.

‘I’m happy to have learned that I knocked myself out too often playing ice hockey. But ultimately you will get criticism, you need a thick skin and I got under his skin but it got better for his driving. But it’s not enough, he needs to do more of this.

‘The pressure is on him. A lot of pressure was put on his shoulders, and it worked out. 

‘He’s had one good sprint race in Miami, one good qualifying, that’s not enough for a full season, he needs more of that.’

Villeneuve says he stands by his remarks about Ricciardo, explaining that the Aussie needs more good performances

Villeneuve maintains that Ricciardo still needs to improve to keep his spot on the grid, standing by his comments from the weekend.

‘Yes. He was quick, but you’re only as good as your last few results,’ said Villeneuve.

‘We need the same thing for the next few race weekends.’