Daimler chairman Dieter Zetsche has invited Michael Schumacher to stay in the Mercedes family in a non-racing role.
"My personal wish is that he (Schumacher) remains a partner of our enterprise after his active time in the Mercedes cockpit," he is quoted by the Bild am Feiertag newspaper.
Actually, it is believed the seven time world champion - having been told he is being replaced for 2013 by Lewis Hamilton - is weighing up his options elsewhere on next year’s grid.
But Mercedes’ motor racing president Norbert Haug is also leaving the door open for the 43-year-old to take up a different role.
He and Zetsche have both said it was Mercedes’ fault that Schumacher failed to win during his three-year comeback period.
And Haug told SID news agency there is no rift or "tension" in the wake of the Hamilton news.
"He (Schumacher) has assured us that, in light of the long term dimension, he fully understands the commitment with Lewis Hamilton," said Haug.
"There is no tension between Michael and the team and we can absolutely imagine a further cooperation," he added.