Liam Lawson has broken his silence after his sudden demotion from Red Bull to its junior Formula One team, Racing Bulls, following the Chinese Grand Prix. As F1 heads to Japan's Suzuka Circuit this weekend, Lawson admitted that he "wasn't expecting" the setback.

SUZUKA, Japan (AP) — No one knows better than Liam Lawson how quickly things can change in results-driven, money-driven Formula 1. Last week the New Zealander was suddenly demoted to Racing Bulls after two poor Formula 1 races with the top team — Red Bull — in Australia and China to start the season.

The four-time world champion does not regret liking a tweet claiming replacing the 23-year-old was a ‘panic move’.