F1 legend Martin Brundle weighs in on Villeneuve-Ricciardo war of words: 'Never the same driver again'

F1 commentator Martin Brundle has weighed in on the war of words between Daniel Ricciardo and Jacques Villeneuve, saying the Aussie 'never seemed the same driver again' after leaving Red Bull.

Throughout his career, Ricciardo has achieved eight Grand Prix victories and 32 podium finishes, marking him as one of the sport's better competitors.

But those results have become hard to come by in recent years, with podium finishes drying up during stints at Renault from 2019-2020 and a troubled partnership with McLaren from 2021-2022.

Since returning to racing with RB, Ricciardo has found it tough going - with teammate Yuki Tsunoda generally getting the upper hand.

Former champion Jacques Villeneuve last weekend questioned if Ricciardo deserved a spot on the grid, stating that his image has ultimately saved his career in a savage live television rant ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix.

After his best qualifying performance of the F1 season and nabbing fifth place on the grid, Ricciardo fired back at Villeneuve.

'I heard he's been talking s**t. But he always does,' Ricciardo told media.

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

Brundle took a diplomatic approach to the spat, writing in his GP column for Sky Sports: 'For the record, as it's become a hot topic due to my Sky Sports F1 colleague Jacques Villeneuve expressing his firm opinions.

'I have fundamental respect for all F1 drivers, not least for Daniel and Jacques, because I know how hard it is to drive such fearsome cars under that spotlight.

'Daniel has won eight GPs including an outstanding Monaco victory, scored 32 podiums, and has regularly shown world-class talent.

'But those results were quite a while ago and I wish he'd not left Red Bull at the end of 2018. That was an emotional and flawed decision, he should have faced up to Max in the best car, then he'd have necessarily raised his game even further.'

Brundle believes the Australian driver has never been 'quite the same driver' since leaving Red Bull at the end of the 2018 season.

'Ricciardo never seemed to be quite the same driver again,' he wrote.

'He clearly still does have speed and race craft, as we witnessed also in the Miami Sprint, but something in his psyche or approach is holding that back and it's costing him opportunity and longevity.'