Formula One drivers could face suspension or lose all their points for participating in an unsportsmanlike manner at this weekend's floodlit season finale in Abu Dhabi

The sport's race director Michael Masi has issued the warning as Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull's Max Verstappen sit on equal points vying for the title.

Verstappen's ahead 9-8 on wins, which would crown him champion if both fail to score points.

The pair have collided three times this season, raising concerns about a crash ending the duel prematurely.

A precedent was set in 1997 when Michael Schumacher's points were removed in the European Grand Prix decider and Jacques Villeneuve took the title.