Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg risk being banned by Mercedes if they keep clashing during Grands Prix
At-war duo told their behaviour will not be tolerated by fuming chiefs after three crashes in five races hit team's points haul
LEWIS HAMILTON and Nico Rosberg risk being BANNED if they come to blows again.
Mercedes bosses are so angry that the two have smashed into each other in three of the last five races, they have told the at-war duo their behaviour will not be tolerated.
Merc hauled the duo in for a crunch meeting ahead of this weekend's British Grand Prix where they told their drivers of the ultimatum - behave or else!
However, incredibly, both drivers LAUGHED OFF the threat of a one-race suspension.
When quizzed about Merc's proposed "much greater deterrents" to stop them from crashing into each other, Hamilton joked "I guess I should say yes" with a smile.
And Rosberg also quipped: "A final warning? Oh, that doesn't sound good. Thank you for letting me know."
He then taunted: "We have modified rules of engagement now. Would you like to know the details? I can't give them to you."
Confusingly, Hamilton later admitted he was afraid of the looming threat of a one-race ban and admitted the deterrent was necessary.
He said: "Toto had no other choice but to take action. He can't continue to allow things to happen. The amendment I can assure is very, very firm.
"I didn't want that result to happen and Mercedes don't but hopefully we will be in that position and whichever one of us will think."
It was no laughing matter for Mercedes' Head of Motorsport Toto Wolff, though, who was livid after they clashed in Spain, Canada and Austria.
He said: "This is the final warning. Consider it like this.
"They drive a Mercedes because they are what they are, but we have had an accumulation of accidents in the last few races that has led to a situation that we need to contain.
"This is the tricky bit, but look at it this way, if you have a yellow card, will this change your way of tackling or not, because you know what happens with a second yellow card.
"It is a scenario that none of us wants to be in."
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Mercedes have now re-written their internal rulebook on what is and what is not acceptable when it comes to slugging it out on track.
While the Brackley-based team maintain they will continue to allow them to race, they will be force employ team orders.
It was agreed at their HQ that any form of financial penalty would be insignificant to their millionaire drivers meaning the only option of a deterrent was a ban.
Wolff added: "We decided we would not elaborate on the rules in public because it is a very internal thing that should hopefully prevent such an incident to occur again.
"I cannot elaborate because it is like a contractual detail. We are speaking about possible sporting and financial consequences but I would not like to go into details."
When pressed if he would drop either drover for a breach in their new code of conduct, Wolff refused to rule it out, saying: "Please respect that if I was to answer that I would go into detail again.
"If it would happen again and its entirely in their hands it is something that would have a negative outcome for their campaign.
"The drivers are our heroes; the stars of the show, I don't want to belittle them in public and if I answer your question there is the risk that I would do so. So I don't want to go there."
Meanwhile, Rosberg is refusing to take the blame for causing the last-lap smash in Austria which sparked the furore.
He said: "It is definitely not black and white. I fully respect the decision of the stewards but that doesn't mean I have to agree with it.
"Have I apologised? It is not a question of apologising. We are moving forward. It is a thing of the past.
"We are free to race which we all want. I want to battle Lewis out there and that still remains nearly unchanged."