Villeneuve wanted to start a debate with his comments on Ricciardo

Jacques Villeneuve and Daniel Ricciardo have found themselves at the center of a heated controversy that has attracted much attention in the world of Formula 1 at the beginning of the summer. It all started with a controversial statement from the 1997 world champion to Sky Sports during the Canadian Grand Prix where he criticized the Australian for his lack of results and his declining performances in recent seasons. The former Williams and BAR have questioned the Perth native's ability to return to his best, despite having hoped earlier this year to return to the role of teammate of Max Verstappen in Red Bull.

In response, Ricciardo responded firmly, saying Villeneuve's criticism was unwarranted and did not reflect current F1 realities. Jacques Villeneuve returned to this controversy to the Mirror. " It never occurred to me that I wanted to be right, explains the Canadian. It has sparked a lot of reactions, many negative, some positive. It has led people to discuss the subject openly. It is not about destroying someone, but about facing reality. People have understood that this subject needs to be discussed in depth. That is what makes me happy. My feelings would not be different if Daniel Ricciardo had stayed at Red Bull. I am not saying that I am happy that he left F1, I am just happy that I have brought the reality to the forefront. It makes me happy to give people enough food for thought. »

« Daniel still has a good image and a good career, it has not harmed him." It is also not impossible to see the Australian return to the Formula 1 grids in the future. The arrival of Cadillac in 2026 could thus be a possibility of a return for the man with 8 F1 victories, even if the 35-year-old driver has shown himself to be disinterested in this subject recently.

ALSO READ > Ricciardo not interested in Formula 1 return with Cadillac