Daniel Ricciardo responds to Jacques Villeneuve in the absolute best method after Canadian claimed RB driver was solely in F1 nonetheless due to his picture.
Talking on the opening day of observe, the 1997 world champion questioned why Ricciardo was nonetheless on the grid.
“We’re listening to the identical factor now for the final 4-5 years,” he instructed Sky Sports activities, ‘we now have to make the automotive higher for him’, ‘poor him’,” he added.
“Sorry. It has been 5 years of that. No. You are in F1. If you cannot lower it, go dwelling. There’s another person to take your house.”
Twenty-four hours later and Ricciardo certified a formidable fifth for the Canadian Grand Prix, out-pacing Yuki Tsunoda for less than the second time this yr, and ending simply 0.158s off pole, 0.236s forward of his teammate.
Talking after the session, Ricciardo was requested about Villeneuve’s feedback.
“I nonetheless do not know what he stated,” replied the media-savvy Australian, “however I heard he is been speaking shit.
“However he all the time does,” he added. “I believe he is hit his head a couple of too many instances… I do not know if he performs ice hockey or one thing.
“Anyway, will not give him the time of day, however all these folks can suck it. I wish to say extra however it’s alright. We’ll depart him behind.”
A great riposte, however not fairly in the identical class as Fernando Alonso, who in 2016 was dominated out of the Bahrain Grand Prix after being deemed as not having totally recovered from accidents sustained in a crash in Melbourne.
Johnny Herbert, a relentless critic of the Spaniard on the time, requested if it was time he considered retiring.
“I cannot retire, mate,” replied the Spaniard. “I used to be world champion, you ended up as a commentator as a result of you weren’t a world champion, mate!”
Eight years later and never solely is he nonetheless driving, he’s nonetheless very aggressive.
Whereas Ricciardo’s qualifying efficiency was properly acquired by his workforce, many are questioning why RB selected to solely verify Tsunoda as being retained for subsequent yr.
Nonetheless, the Australian appeared unconcerned, content material merely to deal with his Q3 efficiency.
“Clearly Miami was a little bit of a one off, however I understand how good these outcomes really feel, and that is why I do it, to really feel these highs,” he stated, in keeping with Speedcafe. “Coming into the week, every part felt proper. I used to be actually glad simply to return again to this circuit and drive right here, as a result of I find it irresistible.
“At present’s ten years to the day of my first win,” he added, “and that day modified my life, so there’s simply quite a lot of good feelings coming into it. I simply felt like I used to be able to do some good shit.”
Probably echoing Villeneuve’s remark in regards to the automotive not being proper for him, he stated the RB now feels proper.
“From once we put it down yesterday on monitor, clearly FP1 not a lot, however FP2 slightly bit extra laps received carried out, I simply had confidence in it,” he continued. “The automotive felt good. I used to be capable of slide it and drive slightly bit extra aggressively. In order that simply felt like I used to be getting on prime of it.
“But additionally, half two is, we’re all the time going to be attempting to good the automotive, however I even have to take a look at myself and guarantee that I am in a very good place to have the ability to do outcomes like this. It is clearly been a bit more durable for me to seek out that candy spot this yr.
“I look again at ten years in the past, I believe it was sort of easy. After Monaco I attempted to simply perceive… I used to be all the time on-track stuff, can I brake later right here, or do that and that, however I used to be like hey, what’s perhaps another issues which are affecting my efficiency? Am I coming right into a race weekend not feeling energised, or not feeling this or that?”
Take a look at our Saturday gallery from Montreal right here.
