Helmut Marko:
“The shareholders have made it known that it is a junior team and we have to act accordingly. The goal was that [Daniel Ricciardo] would be considered for Red Bull Racing with exceptional performances. That seat now belongs to Sergio Perez, so that plan is no longer valid.”
“We have to put a young driver in there soon. That would be Liam Lawson.”
I my opinion they should give Lawson a shot at Red Bull just like Gasly and Albon but with more managed expectations, do well and you can have that seat. Lawson is highly unlikely to challenge Max and they get a hungry rear gunner looking for points to help them in the WCC.
If Lawson proves his worth in that seat, Red Bull could have a strong driver pairing behind McLaren(Lando and Oscar are the strongest pair on the grid right now) and they also get a replacement ready for when Max decides to leave F1 or Red Bull.
He should have already been in the Scuderia Toro Tauri Bulls car this year and depending on his quality, be a candidate for the main team. Now Audi are interested in him and it’s either to lose him or put him in a car.