Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto has threatened to end the 'free to race' approach with their drivers after the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel would touch on the approach to Turn 4 after the Monegasque had passed his teammate into Senna S as they fought to reach the podium places in the closing laps.
Though the stewards later ruled no further action, it was a moment that had many similarities to the German and Mark Webber's clash in Turkey back in 2010, but it was the damage to Ferrari which angered Binotto more.
“Obviously if we look at our team we are really disappointed because the mistake the two drivers made cost us dearly,” he told Sky Sports Italy.
“We will analyze what happened in the coming days. I don’t want to say it now because I haven’t watch everything yet, but both drivers must understand that they damaged the race of Ferrari."
The contact was the latest flashpoint between Vettel and Leclerc in a year when the latter has established himself on an equal footing with the four-time world champion.
But, looking ahead, Binotto is now warning team orders could be reintroduced if that freedom is to Ferrari's detriment.
“The drivers were free to fight, but this is a costly mistake that damages the work of all the team," he continued.
“We are thinking about not doing the debriefing because we have to send a message to both drivers. I already spoke with them that these are accidents that can happen, but both drivers have responsibility.
“If next year we have two drivers fighting for the world title we would be happy and they would be free to fight, but in this situation? No.”
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Later, it emerged Ferrari had indeed opted not to assess the incident in the "heat" of the post-race environment and will instead meet back at Maranello.
“I heard both drivers but they will come as well, together with them, to discuss again what happened today and there will be time for the team to analyse all the video and the data," the team boss explained via RaceFans.
“Whatever will be the judgement, the more important thing is that today we are disappointed and sorry for the team. We are, but first, the two drivers should be, sorry for the team because it has been a very small crash was big consequences. A silly thing that should not happen.”
