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Red Bull chief Christian Horner insists he has 'no relationship' with his Mercedes counterpart Toto Wolff as their two teams scrap it out for the world title. 

Max Verstappen has a 14-point lead over Lewis Hamilton ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix this weekend, with their rivalry heating up after the Brit reduced the deficit with a comeback victory in Brazil despite starting in 10th, and there was tension between the Mercedes and Red Bull after the Dutchman ran his rival off the track. 

Horner and Wolff have also had friction in recent times after exchanging verbal blows during the race for the title, and the Red Bull supremo said there was 'only competition' between the pair.

Red Bull chief Christian Horner says he has 'no relationship' with Mercedes chief Toto Wolff (L)

He said there was 'only competition' as the two teams go head to head in the F1 title race

'There is no relationship. There is a competition,' he said ahead of Qatar's first Grand Prix on Sunday. 'I was interested to hear Toto's views after the sprint race on his team radio '[F*** them all].

'It's the first time they have been challenged. It's been far the most intense, political fight we have been involved in.

'Does our car comply with the rules? Absolutely. Do we have concerns over the gains in speed since Budapest that have been exponential in the last couple of races? Absolutely.

'We want a fair fight. It shouldn't be done in a stewards room or court of appeal. It needs to be done on track. There is too much at stake. We just want to make sure the playing field is level.

'There is respect for everything Mercedes has done and what Lewis Hamilton has done but I don't need to go to dinner with Toto and I don't need to kiss his arse or anything like that. There are a few other team principals that might.'

Horner said they were in an 'intense fight' with Mercedes and that he had respect for them