Red Bull boss Christian Horner emphasised on Friday that team orders were a part of Formula One and refused to rule out telling Mexican Sergio Perez to give up a home victory this weekend.
No Mexican driver has ever won a home grand prix but Perez has a winning car and has been on the podium in his last two races.
He is not in contention for the title, however, while team mate Max Verstappen is top of the standings with a 12-point advantage over Mercedes' seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton and five races remaining.
Verstappen has eight wins this year to Perez's one.