Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says his drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg face sanctions that will directly affect their championship campaign if they clash again.
The move has emerged after the team held talks with its drivers yesterday following the much publicised final lap collision that cost Mercedes a likely 1-2 finish at last week's Austrian Grand Prix.
While Wolff declined to reveal the exact penalties his drivers face, he declared both Hamilton and Rosberg have been issued a ‘final warning' regarding their on track behaviour.
He also hinted the sanctions could include the introduction of team orders or a race suspension.
Up until this point Mercedes has allowed its drivers to race freely, but two high profile clashes in five races has forced the operation to review its policy.
The operation has decided to allow its driver to continue to race each other but under new rules of engagement.
“You know how a driver is calibrated and what is important for them,” Wolff said ahead of this weekend's British Grand Prix.
“It is clear if it would happen again it would be something that has a negative outcome for their campaign.
“We decided we wouldn't want to elaborate on the rules in public because it is a very internal thing that should hopefully prevent such an incident to occur again.
“It is like a contractual detail. We are speaking about possible sporting, possible financial consequences and I wouldn't want to go into the detail.
“We've had a warning, this is the final warning. Let's consider it like this.”
Despite the threat of sanctions, Wolff remains confident his drivers have the ability to race for the world championship cleanly.
“If it would be a mission impossible, it means we wouldn't be seeing any clean racing out there,” Wolff added.
“It would mean every single overtake would end up in contact. No.
“There is clean racing out there and the great racing is hard racing, trying to pass and outsmart your competitors without the contact.
“I believe, especially considering the skills of those two, clean racing is possible and achievable.”
Hamilton admitted he is pleased the team has not elected to impose team orders for this weekend.
“Destiny has always been in our hands so it doesn't really change anything,” said Hamilton.
“I'm still able to race, which is positive.
“No team orders, which is great for the fans, so I'm think everyone should be excited.”
Opening practice fro the British Grand Prix is scheduled to begin today at 1900 AEST.