Jacques Villeneuve has hit back in his new found war of words with Daniel Ricciardo.
The 1997 Formula 1 world champion ignited the feud when he questioned the Australian’s place on the grid.
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His explosive remarks caught the F1 world off guard and appeared to light a fire underneath Ricciardo ahead of qualifying for the Canadian Grand Prix.
After producing a masterclass and snatching fifth place on the grid, Ricciardo hit back with a savage reply.
“I heard he’s been talking s**t. But he always does,” Ricciardo said in response to Villeneuve’s comments.
“I think he’s hit his head a few too many times. So I don’t know if he plays ice hockey or something.”
Those comments however didn’t sit well with Villeneuve who slammed Ricciardo for crossing the line.
“His reaction was a little bit personal and he’s a role model,” he said.
“Like all these 20 (drivers), you’re at the top level, you have to be responsible in your answers, professional.
“Kids are listening to you. You cannot make it personal.
“I’m happy to have learned that I knocked myself out too often playing ice hockey. But ultimately you will get criticism, you need a thick skin and I got under his skin but it got better for his driving. But it’s not enough, he needs to do more of this.
“The pressure is on him. A lot of pressure was put on his shoulders, and it worked out. He’s had one good sprint race in Miami, one good qualifying, that’s not enough for a full season, he needs more of that.”
Asked if he was standing by his comments, Villeneuve responded: “Yes. He was quick, but you’re only as good as your last few results.
“We need the same thing for the next few race weekends.”
Villeneuve wasn’t the only person to question Ricciardo’s place on the grid with fellow Sky Sports presenter Danica Patrick stating the Aussie is under heavy pressure.
“He’s at a very challenging point in his career, falling down from great teams and spending time outside of the car during seasons and having injuries,” said Patrick.
“He even said the other day, I’m not 20 years old with the same focus, I have to be very focused on what it is that you want to do and there are other things that can take away from it so to be really, really buckled down on that.
“I think that you can see it, you can really see it this weekend. I feel Yuki obviously re-signing is probably a little bit painful.”
Ricciardo endured a nightmare start to the race when he was hit with a five second penalty for a false start.
Once the race got underway he tumbled down the order to ninth before he served his penalty and ultimately fell down to 12th spot.
In the closing stages of the race however the Aussie fought back before crossing the line in eighth and securing four points.
Max Verstappen claimed the honours ahead of Lando Norris and George Russell in a rain soaked race.