Drivers Warned to Behave or be Punished

Formula One drivers were read the 'riot act' on Friday -- cut out obstructive tactics in Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix or be punished.

Ralf Schumacher, younger brother of world championship leader Michael Schumacher, said drivers have been told that anyone who deliberately blocks other cars could be banned for up to three races.

Race starter and FIA safety chief Charlie Whiting cautioned the drivers at the routine pre-race drivers' briefing at the Suzuka track.

According to Schumacher, Whiting said any offending drivers would be warned by a waved black and white flag and then disqualified from the race by a black flag.

Schumacher said: "It is right. They (Michael Schumacher and defending world champion Mika Hakkinen) should be left to fight it out for the title. A three-race ban would be about right."

Whiting's firm words showed that the FIA is making a serious bid to ensure the championship showdown is a fair fight and there are no 'dirty tricks' by their teammates, or other drivers.

There have been many previous incidents of drivers slowing and baulking chasing rivals, deliberately moving and blocking them and even collisions in a bid to influence the outcome of a race and the championship.

Two of the most infamous were at Suzuka in 1989 and 1990 when McLaren teammates Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna collided with the drivers' crown at stake. Another involved Michael Schumacher at Jerez, Spain, in 1997, when he hit the Williams of Jacques Villeneuve's but failed to knock him out of the race.

In the last two races at Suzuka, McLaren and Ferrari supporting drivers have used tactics designed to slow the field and influence the result.

Whiting's edict was not believed to prevent teammates driving in support of their partners' championship challenge, but to prevent irregular and deliberately unsporting driving.