Russell aims to lift Williams ahead of Haas and Alfa Romeo in 2021

Williams driver George Russell is "confident" the team can leapfrog Haas and Alfa Romeo in the standings next year after closing the gap to the rest of the field in 2020.

Despite finishing pointless, last season saw a marked improvement in performance from Williams with drivers Russell and Nicholas Latifi narrowly missing out on the top 10 on multiple occasions.

With cars running largely unchanged for 2021, Russell, who enters the final year of his Williams contract, has set his sights firmly on the two teams directly ahead in the standings.

"I am confident we can beat Haas next year," he said. I think we will be on a par with Alfa Romeo but I would like to think we could jump them as well.

"If we look at the progress we have been making, we want to be scoring points next year. We are not suddenly going to be in the midfield fight because of the regulation stability. Definitely, we have to be aiming to beat Haas and Alfa Romeo."

The team was acquired mid-season by Dorilton Capital as the Williams family relinquished control and stepped away from Formula 1.

Russell revealed he was yet to have a detailed discussion over future plans with the new owners but indicated the two parties would meet over the winter period.

"The last time I spoke to them was with regards to my Mercedes drive [for the Sakhir Grand Prix]," he explained.

"So we actually haven't had a chance to fully sit down. It has been a very intense season and I have been focusing on the races and I plan to chat with them."

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