WATCH: Albon crashes in final China practice, comes out physically unscathed

23-year-old climbed gingerly out of his wrecked car after the event drew gasps from the crowd

SHANGHAI: 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.

Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas went fastest for the second practice in a row, with the Ferraris of Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc second and third.

The 23-year-old Albon climbed gingerly out of his wrecked car, but only after a huge scare that drew gasps from the crowd in Shanghai.

ICYMI: A heart-stopping moment for @alex_albon during FP3 👀

Thankfully, he walked away unscathed 👊#ChineseGP 🇨🇳 #Race1000 pic.twitter.com/Mmb9ScGD67

— Formula 1 (@F1) April 13, 2019

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.

His car was badly mangled and there was a frantic call from engineers asking if he was okay.

"I'm fine, sorry," came the reply from a shaken Albon, who was able to walk away and was assessed by medical personnel.

He was later given the all-clear but will miss qualifying because his ruined car will not be fixed in time, Toro Rosso said.

Bottas clocked a leading time of one minute 32.830 seconds, 0.392 seconds ahead of Vettel and 0.418 of Leclerc.

Jump onboard for the lap that put @ValtteriBottas on pole for the 1000th F1 race ⏱

And bagged him the @pirellisport Pole Position Award in Shanghai 🏆#ChineseGP 🇨🇳 #Fit4F1 pic.twitter.com/0Y7azonaBW

— Formula 1 (@F1) April 13, 2019

World champion Lewis Hamilton was fourth in the other Mercedes.

Before his dramatic late smash, Albon clocked the ninth-quickest time.