Max Verstappen has been suggested as a potential shock replacement for Lewis Hamilton when the Brit leaves for Ferrari.
Jacques Villeneuve can see a scenario where the three-time back-to-back world champion would decide to quit Red Bull and join Mercedes from 2025.
Hamilton shocked the world of Formula One when it was announced earlier this month that this season would be his last at Mercedes.
The 39-year-old will cut his contract short and move to Ferrari from next season, ending a 12-year stint at the Silver Arrows where he has won six of his seven world titles.
Max Verstappen has been tipped to leave Red Bull and replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes
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Former F1 star Villeneuve has put forward several names of drivers who could be in the conversation to step into Hamilton's shoes.
He reckons Fernando Alonso could be in for a shout, as could Alpine's Esteban Ocon.
But he also thinks Verstappen could pull off a Hamilton-style surprise by deciding he wants a change at the end of the upcoming campaign.
Asked who could replace Hamilton, Villeneuve told Betideas.com: "Alonso. He would be amazing. And maybe Ocon. He is a Toto Wolff protege. A few days ago, he said he still had strong links with Merone, one that Ocon is expecting.
"But you already have young [George] Russell there. Mercedes needs a name and a brand. So Ocon and Russell? There is no name or brand. There might be speed but that alone is not good enough.
"So why not Alonso? Or what about Verstappen? No-one expected Lewis to go to Ferrari. No-one would expect Verstappen to go to Mercedes. But why not?
"Alonso would be a quick fix to help to build Russell into a brand if he can. Or how about Carlos Sainz? He is available and he was the only one who won a race for Ferrari last year."
Verstappen still has four years remaining on his Red Bull contract, having signed a bumper new deal until the end of 2028 two years ago.
He has dominated the grid for the last two seasons, ending 2023 with the most wins in a single campaign.
Villeneuve has paid tribute to Verstappen's achievements, claiming he is making the difference in a car that 'half of the field' wouldn't win in.
The Canadian added: "Lewis had the best car when he won most of his championships as did [Michael] Schumacher and even [Mika] Hakkinen. When we say the best car now, we are talking about a car (the Red Bull) a second above the field.
"That has never been the case before Mr Verstappen. Max IS making the difference.
"Half of the field would not win races in that car. He is that special. You see in the first two or three races Max is missing a little something. He doesn’t adapt to the car. Then he works with the team.
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"And he brings the car into an area where he can drive it better. It becomes his second skin.
"His team-mate doesn’t make the same step forward. The difference then is accentuated.
"It is not that the team particularly wants to help Verstappen more. It is the way that Verstappen actually goes at it, morning to night, 24/7, to make sure he gets that vital tenth (of a second) in the car.
"When he drives it, it does what he wants. He doesn’t have to react to what the car does. It is a very different thing. That is how during the season he just gets better in things like tyre management.
Max Verstappen still has four years remaining on his Red Bull contract
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"He is not actually driving the car. They are as one, him and the car. Just like walking. He doesn’t even have to think about it. The same thing happens when he races.
"What amazes me with him is his constant hunger. He doesn’t give an inch. Even the last race of the season having won everything, if he lost one tenth at a corner he would be as angry as if it was the first race of the season.
"I don’t know where he gets that energy. It is impressive. It has been three years non-stop like this.
"That’s what I find amazing and puts him above the rest."