<p>Toro Rosso's Alexander Albon lost control and smashed at high speed towards the end of final practice on Saturday for the Chinese Grand Prix, bringing the session to a premature end.</p>.<p>Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas went fastest for the second practice in a row, with the Ferraris of Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc second and third.</p>.<p>The 23-year-old Albon climbed gingerly out of his wrecked car, but not after a huge scare that drew gasps from the crowd in Shanghai.</p>.<p>The Thai-Briton, who is in his first season in F1, careened into a wall as he entered the straight with less than 10 minutes left of third and final practice.</p>.<p>His car was badly mangled and there was a frantic call from engineers asking if he was okay.</p>.<p>"I'm fine, sorry," came the reply from a shaken Albon, who was able to walk away and was assessed by medical personnel.</p>.<p>He was later given the all-clear, but whether his ruined car can be ready for qualifying later Saturday remains to be seen.</p>.<p>Bottas clocked a leading time of one minute 32.830 seconds, 0.392 seconds ahead of Vettel and 0.418 of Leclerc.</p>.<p>World champion Lewis Hamilton was fourth in the other Mercedes.</p>.<p>Before his dramatic late smash, Albon clocked the ninth-quickest time.</p>.<p><span><strong>Third practice timings:</strong></span></p>.<p>1. Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Mercedes 1:32.830</p>.<p>2. Sebastian Vettel (GER) Ferrari 1:33.222</p>.<p>3. Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari 1:33.248</p>.<p>4. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes 1:33.689</p>.<p>5. Nico Hulkenberg (GER) Renault 1:33.974</p>.<p>6. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) Alfa Romeo Racing 1:34.246</p>.<p>7. Max Verstappen (NED) Red Bull 1:34.447</p>.<p>8. Carlos Sainz (ESP) McLaren 1:34.510</p>.<p>9. Alexander Albon (THA) Toro Rosso 1:34.600</p>.<p>10. Daniil Kvyat (RUS) Toro Rosso 1:34.783</p>.<p>11. Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren 1:34.938</p>.<p>12. Sergio Perez (MEX) Racing Point 1:35.078</p>.<p>13. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) Renault 1:35.142</p>.<p>14. Lance Stroll (CAN) Racing Point 1:35.223</p>.<p>15. Pierre Gasly (FRA) Red Bull 1:35.326</p>.<p>16. Antonio Giovinazzi (ITA) Alfa Romeo Racing 1:35.726</p>.<p>17. Romain Grosjean (FRA) Haas 1:35.771</p>.<p>18. Kevin Magnussen (DEN) Haas 1:35.998</p>.<p>19. George Russell (GBR) Williams 1:36.124</p>.<p>20. Robert Kubica (POL) Williams 1:36.176</p>
<p>Toro Rosso's Alexander Albon lost control and smashed at high speed towards the end of final practice on Saturday for the Chinese Grand Prix, bringing the session to a premature end.</p>.<p>Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas went fastest for the second practice in a row, with the Ferraris of Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc second and third.</p>.<p>The 23-year-old Albon climbed gingerly out of his wrecked car, but not after a huge scare that drew gasps from the crowd in Shanghai.</p>.<p>The Thai-Briton, who is in his first season in F1, careened into a wall as he entered the straight with less than 10 minutes left of third and final practice.</p>.<p>His car was badly mangled and there was a frantic call from engineers asking if he was okay.</p>.<p>"I'm fine, sorry," came the reply from a shaken Albon, who was able to walk away and was assessed by medical personnel.</p>.<p>He was later given the all-clear, but whether his ruined car can be ready for qualifying later Saturday remains to be seen.</p>.<p>Bottas clocked a leading time of one minute 32.830 seconds, 0.392 seconds ahead of Vettel and 0.418 of Leclerc.</p>.<p>World champion Lewis Hamilton was fourth in the other Mercedes.</p>.<p>Before his dramatic late smash, Albon clocked the ninth-quickest time.</p>.<p><span><strong>Third practice timings:</strong></span></p>.<p>1. Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Mercedes 1:32.830</p>.<p>2. Sebastian Vettel (GER) Ferrari 1:33.222</p>.<p>3. Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari 1:33.248</p>.<p>4. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes 1:33.689</p>.<p>5. Nico Hulkenberg (GER) Renault 1:33.974</p>.<p>6. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) Alfa Romeo Racing 1:34.246</p>.<p>7. Max Verstappen (NED) Red Bull 1:34.447</p>.<p>8. Carlos Sainz (ESP) McLaren 1:34.510</p>.<p>9. Alexander Albon (THA) Toro Rosso 1:34.600</p>.<p>10. Daniil Kvyat (RUS) Toro Rosso 1:34.783</p>.<p>11. Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren 1:34.938</p>.<p>12. Sergio Perez (MEX) Racing Point 1:35.078</p>.<p>13. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) Renault 1:35.142</p>.<p>14. Lance Stroll (CAN) Racing Point 1:35.223</p>.<p>15. Pierre Gasly (FRA) Red Bull 1:35.326</p>.<p>16. Antonio Giovinazzi (ITA) Alfa Romeo Racing 1:35.726</p>.<p>17. Romain Grosjean (FRA) Haas 1:35.771</p>.<p>18. Kevin Magnussen (DEN) Haas 1:35.998</p>.<p>19. George Russell (GBR) Williams 1:36.124</p>.<p>20. Robert Kubica (POL) Williams 1:36.176</p>