Antonio Giovinazzi admits he starts 2020 "less stressed" with the experience of a full Formula 1 season under his belt.

Last year saw the Italian's first full year of racing since 2016 after replacing Charles Leclerc at Alfa Romeo, and results took time in coming, as he failed to score his first point until the ninth race in Austria.

As the season progressed, Giovinazzi's performances did improve, and that momentum is helping him ahead of what is a crucial year.

“I feel just less stressed compared to last year,” he said via Motorsport Week. “I have already one year on the shoulder, I know already how I can approach the race weekend.

“I know most of the tracks – just Vietnam [is unknown], but it will be new for everyone.

“I just [feel] more ready, I want to be already from race one in a good shape as we need to try to score points already from the beginning of the season.”

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Certainly capitalising on opportunities is going to be crucial in a midfield battle that is as competitive as ever with six teams vying for the final four places in the top 10.

But Giovinazzi is confident Alfa has made enough progress to challenge.

“I think the car feels just more easy to drive," he said. “I think we need to improve on some points, we are happy on other points, we just need to focus on our job.

“There is still a long way to go, we have not much time for Melbourne but enough to try to solve some problems.”