Despite returning to the slower Racing Bulls car, Liam Lawson outqualified his Red Bull replacement Yuki Tsunoda for Formula 1's Japanese Grand Prix. But there are signs Red Bull's merciless switch may actually be working already.

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.

Franz Tost led the team now competing as Racing Bulls for almost two decades following Red Bull's purchase and knows both Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson very well as a result