China – Free Practice 3: Bottas confirms in Shanghai, Albon shortens the session
Valtteri Bottas continues his momentum and sets the fastest time in the third free practice session of the Chinese Grand Prix with a 1:32.830. The session is interrupted 6 minutes before the end following Alex Albon's off-track flying incident, Toro Rosso driver.
The Williams drivers set the first times of this session before Robert Kubica returns to the pit to review the settings of his car.
Robert Kubica pops up with our first time of the session, a 1:37:220 ⏱️#ChineseGP ???????? #Race1000 pic.twitter.com/2w2wOyxejD
— Formula 1 (@F1) 13 avril 2019
The top teams, visibly in no rush, join the track about ten minutes after the session starts.
Fitted with soft tires throughout the session, Sebastian Vettel trails the Mercedes by 4 tenths of a second, followed by his teammate Charles Leclerc by less than a tenth of a second.
Haas doesn’t convince in this session and places in the second to last position. Kevin Magnussen is only 1 tenth faster than George Russell in his Williams.
The end of the session was marked by a red flag caused by a violent crash involving Alex Albon. He will apparently not participate in the qualifying session. The mechanics will have a lot of work to do to ensure the Thai driver’s car is ready for Sunday’s race.
???? RED FLAG ????
Albon has a huge moment at the final corner and hits the tyre wall ????
???? “******, sorry guys… yeah I’m fine”#ChineseGP ???????? #Race1000 pic.twitter.com/qxBDiLbDXA
— Formula 1 (@F1) 13 avril 2019
In the end, Valtteri Bottas confirms the good performance of the W10 by placing himself at the top of the timesheet with a 1:32.830, 8 tenths ahead of Lewis Hamilton who will finish 4th behind the two Ferraris.
FULL CLASSIFICATION (END OF FP3)
Bottas heads the Ferrari duo, with Hülkenberg popping up into the top five ????#ChineseGP ???????? #Race1000 pic.twitter.com/5wX1KJ36gw
— Formula 1 (@F1) 13 avril 2019
