Nico Rosberg could be eyeing a switch from Mercedes to Ferrari, a "source" has told a German tabloid newspaper.
Mercedes chiefs Ross Brawn and Norbert Haug in India indicated they want to keep the 26-year-old beyond his contract, which according to reports is set to run until the end of next season.
But they also acknowledged that the "market is open".
"In general you can go to the wrong team at the wrong time, which is a mistake every driver should try to avoid," said motor sport director Haug.
Interestingly, Rosberg’s link to Ferrari follows the latest controversy involving Felipe Massa, after which the Brazilian continued to angrily slam his nemesis Lewis Hamilton.
Ferrari has said it will honour Massa’s 2012 contract but may look to replace him beyond then.
Explaining Massa’s anger after his collision and penalty, Hamilton’s boss Martin Whitmarsh noted that the 30-year-old is "under enormous pressure within that team".
The Cologne tabloid Express, meanwhile, noted that Mercedes is actually yet to confirm Rosberg, even for next year.
And the newspaper quoted a source as saying: "Nico is thinking about Ferrari."