Former Formula One champion Jenson Button is being targeted by Ferrari as the perfect partner for double world champion Fernando Alonso.
The harmony within the McLaren squad was disrupted at the Canadian Grand Prix despite Button's incredible victory in the rain.
Fellow Briton Lewis Hamilton looked to overtake his team-mate and ended up striking the wall and a pit board.
And the Scuderia are now reported to be lining up a move for the 2009 champion.
"There has been a lot of talk within Ferrari about getting Button. They have already checked to see if he would be available," a Ferrari source told the News of the World.
"The team realise they need a stronger partner for Fernando Alonso than Felipe Massa if they want to win the title again.
"They've seen Jenson prove at McLaren that he can consistently win or get on to the podium."
Button, 31, had not won a grand prix for over a year before coming from the back of the grid to triumph in the Montreal marathon.
However Brazilian Massa, who came within a whisker of beating Hamilton to the 2008 title, has not been the same racer since a horrific injury at the Hungarian GP in 2009 - and Button is known for his consistency and ability to drive in any conditions and preserve tyres.
Button stands second in the drivers' championship, 60 points behind Sebastian Vettel who he overtook on the final lap to win in Canada. Hamilton is fourth and Alonso fifth.
His three-year, 18 million deal with McLaren finishes at the end of next season - at the same time as Massa's Ferrari contract. The News of the World claims that he would pick up a cool 30m for three years in Italy.
Hamilton is rumoured to be considering Red Bull and Mercedes for 2013, which would leave Button as the undisputed lead driver.
Alonso is the focus of Ferrari's operation, but the incorporation of a relaxed personality such as Button would enable them to race one another without back-biting.
The Spaniard's time at McLaren alongside Hamilton saw the duo engaged in a year-long feud.
Three years ago, with Honda's time in F1 coming to an end - and before Ross Brawn took over the team and led it to drivers' and teams' titles - Button was unable to even get a test drive with the Prancing Horse.
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