Force India could keep racing ban in place

Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon have not been allowed to race wheel-to-wheel since the Belgian Grand Prix, where they collided twice, having previously run into each other in Baku and Hungary and disagreed over how their battle in Canada was handled.

It was largely expected that the lockdown on the drivers would be lifted once the team was guaranteed to finish fourth - which it achieved last time out in Mexico - but deputy team principal Bob Fernley suggested the strict orders could remain in place.

"If we feel that them racing could hurt our positions or be bad for strategy then we will not let them fight," he told Autosport.

"However, under the right circumstance, we are now ready to consider it."

Perez said in Brazil he is expecting to be allowed to race Ocon, and he believes the two have repaired their relationship in recent weeks.

"Everything is now free, and we want to get the best possible results for the team," he said.

"And yeah, they'll send us the bill if we touch the cars - these cars are pretty expensive.

"We had a conversation in Monza and that's it. We have moved on.

"The atmosphere in the team is great at the moment and hopefully that will continue until the end of the year and going to next year as well."

Force India has openly talked about being more aggressive with its approach to the final events of 2017.

It is running Mercedes junior driver George Russell in free practice sessions, and is looking to evaluate new car parts that will help its efforts for next year.