VCARB driver Daniel Ricciardo shuts critic with fiery response after stellar in Qualifying at Canadian Grand Prix

VCARB driver Daniel Ricciardo silenced his critics with a remarkable qualifying performance at the Canadian Grand Prix. He secured the fifth place on the grid in what was his best showing of the season. This result came amid criticism from former Formula 1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve, who suggested that Ricciardo's career longevity was more about his image than his recent results.

Villeneuve, the 1997 world champion, had commented on Friday that Ricciardo's popularity had kept him in Formula 1 despite underwhelming performances. Ricciardo, who was left without a seat in 2023 after parting ways with McLaren, made a mid-season return last year to replace Nyck de Vries at Red Bull’s junior team. 

This comeback has been met with mixed results, but Ricciardo's qualifying effort in Montreal was a significant rebuttal to his detractors. Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Ricciardo addressed Villeneuve’s comments with a blend of defiance and humour.

"I've just been told. I don't listen or read but yeah, there's some people out there who… yeah, whatever, I won't give them the time of day," he said, dismissing the criticism. He then highlighted his performance, noting, "Top five, I've been quick all weekend. We're less than two-tenths from pole, so *** ****" before playfully pretending to end the interview.

Yuki Tsunoda earns contract extension from VCARB

Ricciardo's resurgence in Montreal is notable given his struggles this season, where he has frequently been outperformed by his teammate Yuki Tsunoda. Tsunoda holds a 6-1 advantage in race results, and the Japanese driver’s one-year contract extension was announced just before the Canadian Grand Prix. Ricciardo’s future, however, remains uncertain.

Reflecting on his season, Ricciardo admitted the challenges he has faced in finding consistency. "I think this year hasn't been always a question of if I've still got the speed to do it, it's just been the consistency, which I haven't been able to show week in, week out," he said.

He also acknowledged the difficulties of maintaining peak performance, attributing it to a combination of factors, including personal adjustments and the complexities of the sport as he ages. Meanwhile, Villeneuve, reacting to Ricciardo's qualifying performance, recognized the Australian's need for consistent pressure to excel. "Like Christian Horner said, he needs the push and the pressure, and it worked. It paid off," Villeneuve noted.