Race ban hovers over Force India drivers - Szafnauer

Force India's Otmar Szafnauer says the team won't hesitate to suspend either of its drivers in the future if any further problems arise.

Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon made contact twice in yesterday's Belgian GP, with their second collision affecting both drivers' race and the team's points tally at Spa.

Perez and Ocon vented different views of the second incident to the media, with the Frenchman going as far as to say that his team mate had attempted to 'kill him', twice during the race.

"I am disappointed that they couldn't sort it out, and that the team has to now play big brother," said Szafnauer.

"That is disappointing. But the team comes first and that is what we have to do."

The Force India manager suggested that the team's rules of engagement should have perhaps been changed earlier given the ramping tension between its two drivers. 

• Perez forcefully rejects Ocon 'he tried to kill me' claim

"If we would have done that initially, maybe this wouldn't have happened if we had rules of engagement," he added.

"So you can say that we lost out on some points.

"But there is always that balance between the show and allowing them to race and pushing each other, and artificially controlling it, which we don't like to do." 

The team will summon its drivers to a meeting before the Italian GP weekend and clearly state the new rules regarding engagement. 

"Before we lay down the law, we have to gather the information and openly discuss it with them," said Szafnauer.

"The rules of engagement will be changed. That is it. If there is no upside potential and only downside risk, then we hold station."

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