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

Former F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve has hit back at Daniel Ricciardo, criticizing 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 ultimately saved his career in a savage live television tirade ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix.

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

‘I heard he was talking nonsense. But he always does that,” Ricciardo told the media.

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

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

“His response was a bit personal and he is a role model,” he said.

‘Like all these twenty (drivers) you are at the highest level, you have to be responsible in your answers, professional.

‘Children listen to you. You can’t make it personal.

‘I’m glad I learned that I knocked myself out too many times while playing ice hockey. But in the end you get criticized, 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.

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

Villeneuve continues to insist Ricciardo still needs to improve to retain his place on the grid, standing by his comments from the weekend.

‘Yes. He was fast, but you are only as good as your last few results,” Villeneuve said.

“We need the same for the upcoming race weekends.”