Jacques Villeneuve has poured cold water on the suggestion that Max Verstappen may look to leave Red Bull for Aston Martin.
There is growing speculation the Dutchman will look to join the Silverstone squad - either before or after his existing deal runs out.
The 27-year-old is contracted to Red Bull until the end of the 2028 F1 season, but there have been persistent reports he may look for a way out of the Milton Keynes-based team, with Mercedes and, increasingly, Aston Martin touted as likely landing spots.
The British marque has moved to silence unfounded rumours in recent days that a close ally of owner Lawrence Stroll has been using Verstappen's name as bait to lure new investment, the suggestion being that a deal between the parties is imminent.
With Aston Martin responding to the baseless claims by reiterating that Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll will race for the team until at least the end of 2026, a move the following year, if at all in the pipeline, seems more likely.
However, suggestions Verstappen will look to follow Adrian Newey and Honda to Aston Martin remain. To the 1997 F1 drivers' champion, whilst it makes sense for the team, it may not make as much sense for the driver himself.
"Lawrence Stroll would need someone that's very strong mentally and hard-headed to replace Fernando Alonso," Villeneuve told The Action Network.
"Max Verstappen would be more like, 'What's my next step?' You win with Ferrari, you win with Mercedes, not with Aston Martin. Like Lewis Hamilton, he wants to win."
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If Verstappen were to join Aston Martin in 2027, it would presumably be in place of Alonso, who would be 45 years old by that stage.
Nonetheless, Villeneuve believes that if the two-time drivers' champion can continue performing, the team will likely be inclined to keep him.
"Alonso knows what he needs to do now… to show that he's still a step above," the Canadian added.
"Like he did when he was at Ferrari and Ferrari wasn't a winning car. Like he did at McLaren, when the McLaren was a dog, had an awful engine, and he still managed to fight like a madman. It was impressive.
"If he keeps doing that, then they'll keep him. Because that means the day the car can win, he's there."
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