Former F1 Champion Jacques Villeneuve Criticizes Daniel Ricciardo Ahead of Canadian Grand Prix

Former Formula 1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve has recently delivered scathing remarks aimed at driver Daniel Ricciardo ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix. The 53-year-old, son of the late F1 legend Gilles Villeneuve, expressed his perplexity at Ricciardo’s continued presence in the sport during an interview with Sky Sports amidst the practice sessions leading up to the highly anticipated race at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal.

Villeneuve openly questioned, ‘Why’s he still in F1? Why?’ as he highlighted Ricciardo’s prolonged struggle in the sport. The Canadian driver raised concerns over the recurring narrative surrounding Ricciardo’s performance issues year after year, emphasizing the need for consistent improvement and results in the competitive F1 environment. Villeneuve emphasized that F1 demands excellence and criticized the trend of making continuous excuses for drivers who fail to deliver standout performances.

Throughout the current season, Daniel Ricciardo, driving for Red Bull‘s sister team Racing Bulls, has faced significant challenges, failing to secure a finish higher than 12th place in any of the eight races so far. The Australian driver, a race winner since his debut in 2011, is currently embroiled in a career-defining battle within his team, with his lackluster performances placing his future in jeopardy.

Despite boasting an impressive record of 32 podium finishes in his career, Ricciardo has struggled to replicate past successes this season, consistently falling behind his teammate Yuki Tsunoda and reserve driver Liam Lawson. With just one victory in his last 63 starts, Ricciardo is fighting to retain his spot in the competitive F1 lineup, facing tough competition from emerging talents like Tsunoda and Lawson.

Jacques Villeneuve further dissected Ricciardo’s career trajectory, pointing out that his initial successes over drivers like Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen have not translated into sustained excellence. Villeneuve suggested that Ricciardo’s reputation rather than his recent performances has kept him in the F1 spotlight, highlighting the need for drivers to consistently deliver exceptional results at the sport’s highest level.

As the Canadian Grand Prix approaches its thrilling climax on Sunday, Ricciardo’s performance during practice sessions indicates a potential resurgence in form, hinting at a possible turnaround in his turbulent F1 campaign. With the stakes higher than ever, Ricciardo faces a pivotal moment in his career as he strives to reclaim his position among the elite drivers in the competitive world of Formula 1.