Former F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve has questioned why Aussie Daniel Ricciardo is still in F1 and believes his image has ultimately saved his career in a savage live television rant.

The 34-year-old is desperately clinging to hope he can finish his career where it started, with Red Bull, despite the door seemingly slamming shut when the team renewing Sergio Perez‘s deal earlier in the week.

After two years with Renault and another two with McLaren, Ricciardo hoped to rejoin the top team alongside Max Verstappen and had been putting pressure on the Mexican driver in 2023.

Although Perez hasn’t been outstanding and is currently fifth in the driver’s championship in 2024, his four podium finishes in eight races before the Canadian Grand Prix weekend convinced Red Bull to extend his contract for another two years.

It’s a tough blow for Ricciardo, who is six months older than Perez and now has to fight to keep his seat with the Visa Cash App RB team after a disastrous season.

Former F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve has questioned why Daniel Ricciardo is still in F1

Ricciardo is currently driving for Visa Cash App RB and fighting to prolong his career