Ricciardo responds to Villeneuve's criticism: 'Eat shit'

Daniel Ricciardo fired back at Canadian racing legend Jacques Villeneuve after the 1997 world champion publicly questioned why the RB driver was still racing in Formula 1.

"I still don't know what he said, I heard he's been talking shit, but he always does," Ricciardo said, according to Adam Dickinson of Total Motorsport. "I think he's hit his head a few too many times, I don't know if he plays ice hockey or something. Anyway, I won't give him the time of day, but all those people can suck it."

The 34-year-old Australian finished a season-best fifth during Saturday's Canadian Grand Prix qualifying.

"I won't give him the time of day. Top five. I've been quick all weekend. Less than two-tenths from pole. So, eat shit," Ricciardo told the media in Montreal.

Villeneuve took a shot at Ricciardo by suggesting results aren't the reason why he continues to race.

"Why is he still in F1?" the 53-year-old said, according to ESPN F1. "You talk about those first two seasons, he was beating a (Sebastian) Vettel that was burnt out and trying to invent things. Then he was beating for half a season an 18-year-old (Max) Verstappen. He stopped beating anyone after that. ... I think his image has kept him in F1 more than his actual results."

Ricciardo sits 14th in the 2024 driver standings and doesn't have a seat secure for 2025. He's won one race (2021 Italian Grand Prix) and has three podiums over the last six years.