‘Suck it’: Daniel Ricciardo’s ultimate mic drop after huge qualifying

Daniel Ricciardo has walked off from an interview after a two-word mic drop following his stunning Formula 1 comeback.

Daniel Ricciardo has told former Formula 1 world champ Jacques Villeneuve to “suck it”.

The Australian was shooting from the hip in interviews following his qualifying masterclass at the Canadian Grand Prix on Sunday morning.

The 34-year-old will start Monday morning’s race from the third row after finishing P5 in the third qualifying session, less than 0.2 seconds behind pole-sitter George Russell of Mercedes.

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Ricciardo has ben under pressure in recent months after struggling to challenge Visa Cash App RB teammate Yuki Tsunoda in recent races.

The most stinging criticism came from Villeneuve, who questioned why Ricciardo is still in the sport.

Ricciardo sent Villeneuve a message after the session and did not miss.

Daniel Ricciardo has told Jacques Villeneuve to suck it. Photo: Sky Sports.

He appeared to be trying to hold his tongue as best he could when interviewed by Sky Sports.

However, he also leaned into the microphone at one point and said something that was censored by the broadcaster before trying to strut away from interviewer with his “mic drop” moment.

“I’ve just been told,” Ricciardo said when asked about Villeneuve’s comments.

“I don’t listen or read it… there’s definitely some people out there whoever… yeah, 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.”

Ricciardo then leaned into the microphone to say: “So yeah **** it.”

According to reports, Ricciardo said “suck it”.

The Australian was much more fired up after being told the good news about his finishing position on team radio.

You can watch the intense radio message in the video player above.

“P5? f*** yeah,” he said.

Letting his emotions show, Ricciardo then raised his voice and shouted: “F*** yeah. F*** yeah”.

Ricciardo also flashed a big thumbs up as he climbed out of his car.

Daniel Ricciardo gives the thumbs up.

Ricciardo’s teammate Yuki Tsunoda was eighth fastest.

The epic drive by the Aussie came just hours after news dropped Tsunoda has signed a one-year contract extension through to the end of the 2025 season with the junior Red Bull team.

That update means Ricciardo is the last driver left hanging in the Red Bull game of musical chairs.

The senior Red Bull team announced last week Sergio Perez had signed a two-year extension through to the end of 2026.

Ricciardo is widely expected to retain his job, but pressure has been building on him with each race and qualifying session where he finishes slower than his Japanese teammate.

Sunday’s stunning drive will silence a lot of his doubters.

The most prominent of those doubters is Villeneuve — and everyone was saying the same thing after the Aussie’s scorching reply.

The 1997 champ delivered both barrels to the 34-year-old, saying: “Why’s he still in F1? Why?

Fifth placed qualifier Daniel Ricciardo. Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images.

“We are hearing the same thing now for the last four or five years. ‘We have to make the car better for him’. Sorry, it’s been five years of that. No, you are in F1.

“Maybe you make that effort for Lewis Hamilton whose won multiple championships. You don’t make that effort for a driver who can’t cut it.

“If you can’t cut it, go home, there’s someone else to take your place. That’s how it’s always been in racing, it’s the pinnacle of the sport.

“There’s no reason to keep going and to keep finding excuses, and you all talk about that first season or first two seasons, he was beating a Vettel that was burnt out, that was trying to invent things with the car to go win and just making a mess of his weekends.

Daniel Ricciardo qualifying 5th the day after Jacques Villeneuve questioned what he was still doing in F1... pic.twitter.com/kczACmx1QU

— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) June 8, 2024

“Then he was beating for half a season Verstappen when Verstappen was 18 years old, just starting, that was it, he stopped beating anyone after that.

“I think his image has kept him in F1 more than his actual results.”

The Sky Sports F1 commentary team said after qualifying that Ricciardo should thank Villeneuve.

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

“That is by far Daniel Ricciardo’s best qualifying day of the season so far.”

F1 guru Martin Brundle responded: “I think those notes might be delivered in a fist rather than a handshake”.

Villeneuve still didn’t back away from his view when speaking about Ricciardo’s comments after the session.

“It’s working well. The car suits him this weekend,” Villeneuve said on Sky Sports.

“When you have a car that suits you, you drive at your best. That was one good qualifying. If he can carry on like that this weekend and do it four or five or six more races then he’ll be fine. But, like he said, he’s been lacking consistency this year.”

There was plenty of celebrating in the RB team garage on Sunday morning after both cars made it through to Q3 in qualifying for the Canadian Grand Prix.