During the Canadian Grand Prix, Daniel Ricciardo responded to Jacques Villeneuve’s harsh criticisms, dismissing them as nonsense. After qualifying in fifth place in Montreal, Ricciardo expressed his disdain for those who doubted him. This season has been disappointing for Ricciardo, as he has been consistently outperformed by his teammate Yuki Tsunoda. Ricciardo’s future with the team is uncertain as he faces competition from reserve driver Liam Lawson for his seat. Despite Villeneuve’s comments, Ricciardo chose not to engage with him, stating that he does not pay attention to such negativity. Ricciardo has faced criticism for his underperformance this year, but has had limited opportunities to address them. News of Tsunoda’s contract before qualifying further highlighted the status difference between the two drivers. However, Ricciardo stated that he was highly motivated to improve and ready to perform well in the race. Reflecting on his disappointing race in Monaco, Ricciardo went through a process of self-reflection and made adjustments to his approach. One possible explanation for his struggles is that his busy schedule of marketing activities has taken a toll on him. Ricciardo sought feedback from his team and close contacts to identify areas for improvement. This open conversation helped him approach the race weekend with a lighter mindset and determination to prove his critics wrong. While Ricciardo felt rejuvenated in Canada, his competitor Sergio Perez had a difficult qualifying session, continuing a recent streak of poor performance. Perez expressed frustration with the team’s inability to find the right setup for the car. Despite the challenges, Ricciardo remained focused on his own performance and determined to make a statement on the track.
