Formula One title rivals Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have been close on track all season, at times too close, but otherwise they are keeping their distance.

Mercedes’ seven-time world champion Hamilton, six points behind Red Bull’s Verstappen after 16 of 22 races, had little to say when asked at the US Grand Prix on Thursday how the relationship had changed as the title fight intensifies.

“We have limited communication...some of the drivers hang more than others do. I wouldn’t say I particularly hang closely with anybody here,” said the Briton, who has battled wheel-to-wheel and collided with the Dutchman.

“Like last year, we will see each other at the track and we’ll say hi. We’ll do the same thing this year and it’s no different to me personally.”

Verstappen has won seven races to Hamilton’s five this year but Austin has been much more a Mercedes track than Red Bull in recent years.

Hamilton has won five of the eight races held in Austin and Mercedes have been on pole for the last six at the Circuit of the Americas.

This year could be a lot closer, however, and Hamilton recognised the next one in Mexico could also be tough.

Asked how important it was to win in Austin, Hamilton said it was important to win every race.

“It will be incredibly difficult. A lot can happen in these tough six races and so I think we just take it one race at a time and then give it everything we’ve got.”