McLaren face a hefty fine and could even be thrown out of the championship if found guilty of using illegal 'team orders' at the Monaco Grand Prix, Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone said on Wednesday.

McLaren told British rookie Lewis Hamilton to ease off after the first pitstop in Monaco on Sunday to ensure he and double world champion team mate Fernando Alonso, who was leading, finished one-two.

Team boss Ron Dennis justified it as normal strategy at a circuit where overtaking is extremely difficult and there is a constant risk of crashing.

Former champions Jackie Stewart and Nigel Mansell have said they saw nothing wrong with the team's actions.

"If there were team orders which relate to the position of the two drivers, if somebody is told to move over or hold their position, it is against all the sporting regulations we have," Ecclestone told the Daily Mail.

"They would be getting off lightly if they get the same sort of fine as Ferrari."

Ferrari were fined $1 million, half of it suspended, after the 2002 Austrian Grand Prix in which Brazilian Rubens Barrichello was ordered to slow down and let Michael Schumacher overtake and win.

Such team orders were subsequently outlawed.

"They could be excluded from the championship or they could have points deducted. A fine for McLaren, with its money, would not have the same effect as docking points," added the 76-year-old.

Ecclestone suggested any fine could exceed a record $5 million imposed on the Turkish Federation and race organisers for a violation of the podium protocol last year.

"This would be breaking the regulations. It's more serious and that should be reflected," said Ecclestone, adding that the drivers should not be penalised however.

"If I'm driving for you and you tell me to stay where I am and not overtake the guy in front, what can I do?

"It would be those who give the orders who should receive the punishment."