Daniel Ricciardo issues fiery response to critics at Canadian Grand Prix: 'Eat s**t'

Daniel Ricciardo has returned serve at Jacques Villeneuve, telling the former F1 world champion to 'eat s**t' after his best qualifying performance of the F1 season.

Ex-champion Jacques Villeneuve yesterday questioned why Ricciardo is still in F1 and stated that his image has ultimately saved his career in a savage live television rant.

While being interviewed by Sky Sports in Montreal on Sunday morning, Ricciardo explained that he'd just learned about the F1 great's scathing remarks.

'I've just been told (about the comments from Villeneuve). I don't listen or read, but there's definitely some out there who... yeah, whatever,' Ricciardo said.

'I won't give them the time of day. But yeah, top five, I've been quick all weekend. We're less than two tenths from pole.

'So, eat s***.'

In another interview reported by Speedcafe.com  the Aussie also let fly at Villeneuve.

'I still don't know what he said, but I heard he's been talking s***,' Ricciardo said after qualifying.

'But he always does. I think he's hit his head a few too many times – I don't know if he plays ice hockey or something.

'Anyway, won't give him the time of day, but all those people can suck it. I want to say more but it's alright. We'll leave him behind.'

Ricciardo will start the Canadian Grand Prix in fifth position after his best qualifying performance of the season.

George Russell took an extraordinary pole position for the GP – tied on 1min 12.000sec with Max Verstappen.

It was a dramatic qualifying session with the threat of rain lingering and occasionally falling. Everyone had to be right on their toes – a point underlined to Russell when he just hung on to his sliding car at Turn 4 during Q2.

Lando Norris will start third, an agonising .021sec off the pace, a place ahead of his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri.

Commentator Matt Gallagher described Ricciardo's drive as 'ridiculous' and suggested that he should thank Villeneuve for the motivation he has given him.

'Daniel Ricciardo needs to pay Jacques Villeneuve a bonus for the motivation he's given him this weekend,' Sky's David Croft said.

'That is by far Daniel Ricciardo's best qualifying day of the season so far.'

The Aussie driver was pumped after the session and could be heard celebrating over the team radio.

'F**k yeah,' he said.