Williams acts on Webber

In the wake of comments from Webber in the Italian press on Thursday accusing Pizzonia of being a 'liar' over his claims of unfair treatment at Jaguar, high level sources have told autosport.com that the team has verbally reprimanded the Australian about his behaviour and warned him to not repeat such comments again.

The action comes amid the growing likelihood that Pizzonia will be drafted in to join Webber in the race line-up for 2005 - renewing the partnership that had its fair share of troubles at Jaguar in 2003.

Although Pizzonia has never blamed Webber for what happened at Jaguar, instead suggesting his problems at the team stemmed purely from management decisions, Webber himself has not been afraid to criticise Pizzonia.

When asked earlier this week by Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport about Pizzonia's view that he had only lost out to Webber at Jaguar because he did not have equal equipment, Webber said: "He knows he has been telling lies.

"He says the car was different from mine? It's bullshit, but if he really thinks so, he's a loser. The truth is that Antonio was fast in testing, but couldn't do as well in the races.

"This year when he took over from Gene he did well, but he didn't have too much pressure on him because he had nothing to lose. Things change when you are the race driver. In this case the responsibilities are much bigger. Especially if you are at the wheel of a Williams."

Williams has never been afraid to keep it drivers in check and warn them of their behaviour. Juan Pablo Montoya's decision to move from Williams to McLaren was fuelled in part by a written reprimand for his criticisms of the team after a radio bust-up during the 2003 French Grand Prix.