Breaking: Ricciardo statement issued after FIERY clash over…read more
Ricciardo statement issued after FIERY clash over…read more
A statement has been released by Daniel Ricciardo following his fiery clash with Jacques Villeneuve over Ricciardo’s Formula 1 departure. The 1997 World Champion sparked controversy during the 2024 Canadian Grand Prix, where he launched a scathing attack on Ricciardo. Villeneuve argued that Ricciardo did not deserve a place in Formula 1 and claimed that he only outperformed his former Red Bull teammate, Sebastian Vettel, because the German was “burnt out.” Villeneuve’s remarks triggered a strong response from Ricciardo, who hit back at the Canadian driver, dismissing his comments. Ricciardo went on to secure a P8 finish in the race, effectively silencing some of the criticism.
Despite this, Ricciardo was eventually dropped from his position at VCARB after failing to meet performance expectations in 2024. Villeneuve, addressing Ricciardo’s exit for the first time since their clash, shared his perspective on the situation. Speaking via Sportscasting, Villeneuve stated, “It never crossed my mind that I wanted to be proven right. It got a lot of reaction, both negative and positive.” Villeneuve acknowledged that his comments sparked significant debate, but emphasized that his intention was not to destroy Ricciardo’s career. Rather, he believed it was important to bring attention to the realities of the sport.
Villeneuve expressed satisfaction that his remarks prompted open discussions about Ricciardo’s F1 career. He added, “I think people realised ‘Okay, Jacques has a fair point, let’s discuss it in depth’ and that happened. That’s what I’m happy about.” Villeneuve clarified that his feelings wouldn’t have changed if Ricciardo had stayed at Red Bull, stressing that his comments weren’t meant to criticize Ricciardo personally but to encourage a broader discussion about the racing industry. He noted that Ricciardo still had a strong image and an admirable career, and that his comments did not harm the Australian driver.
Villeneuve concluded by explaining that, as a pundit, his goal is to discuss pertinent topics in Formula 1. He acknowledged the challenges of maintaining neutrality, recognizing that personal feelings often come through. However, he believed it was important to offer food for thought and generate meaningful discussions, which he felt his comments had achieved. Ultimately, Villeneuve expressed that his intention was never to feel vindicated about Ricciardo’s F1 exit, but rather to contribute to a wider conversation about the sport’s realities.
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