Jonny Herbert has chosen to side with Jacques Villeneuve in the 1997 F1 world champion's dispute with Daniel Ricciardo.
Villeneuve and the AlphaTauri driver have been going at each other in interviews and press conferences of late. Ricciardo is struggling to rediscover his best form and Villeneuve recently laid into the 34-year-old Australian, claiming his popularity on social media is the only thing keeping him in F1.
Speaking at the Canadian GP, Ricciardo issued a fiery response, saying Villeneuve was "talking s***" about his career. Despite going on to record his best finish of the season, crossing the line in eighth place, the Aussie is a long way from where he wants to be.
Herbert listened to both sides of the argument before concluding that he agreed with the Canadian.
"I saw what Jacques said and the way he said it [about Daniel Ricciardo being a social media driver]," Herbert said in an interview with Lord Ping. "It was the truth. Some people don't like the truth sometimes. Jacques was spot on," reports the Express.
"It isn't happening for Daniel now. So, it is time for him to hang his helmet up. I genuinely do. Many people might not like that. But it is true. Performances have to be there and as soon as they go, then there is a question mark.
"I think he still believes. When someone is negative like Jacques, Daniel almost says: 'On yer bike. You don't know what you are talking about'. He still has what I can only think is a mental block that he can still do it."
When asked about Villeneuve's comments before the race, Ricciardo said: "I heard he's been talking s**t. But he always does. I think he's hit his head a few too many times.
"So I don't know if he plays ice hockey or something. I won't give him the time of day but all those people can suck it. I want to say more but we'll leave him behind."
The Aussie star has endured a difficult few years, despite a positive performance at the Canadian Grand Prix. Last year, Ricciardo joined AlphaTauri after they axed Dutch driver Nyck De Vries. However, Herbert isn't convinced Ricciardo will ever find his best form again.
"I don't see the Daniel of old, that Daniel has flown the roost," he said. "For me, it started for Daniel at McLaren and Lando. Lando was quicker than him. He had one offs such as at Monza, but one offs aren't enough. It has to be every time.
"That is what Lando, Oscar, Max, Charlie and Carlos are all doing. The good ones can do it all the time. Daniel used to be able to. There's no doubt he's skillful, he used to be very on it all the time. 'Mr Overtake' they called him. He used to make some fantastic overtakes. But since McLaren, it hasn't happened."
Ricciardo has an opportunity to rack up more points this weekend as F1 heads to Barcelona for the Spanish Grand Prix.
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