The prospect of racing full-time with Sauber next year has put a big smile on Antonio Giovinazzi's face, and perhaps added a zest of speed.
The young Italian replaced Marcus Ericsson in Friday's FP1 session at Sochi and promptly outpaced his high-profile team mate Charles Lelcerc.
Giovinazzi, who endured a difficult time when he raced for Sauber at the beginning of 2017 when he deputized of an injured Pascal Wehrlein, says he is a calmer driver after spending a year on the sidelines, and it has helped his approach.
"I can say I’m a lot more calm now. It’s my first session already with that news for next year,” Giovinazzi said.
"I went to the car really calm, and with the mentality to do the best job for the team and to learn the track, because for me, Sochi was a new track.
"Of course it was a different mentality. All the time [before] I came in the track, [it] was to prove something, to have my seat.
"This time I was just there and thinking about next year, doing the best job for the team to improve the car for next year."
