Webber to miss winter testing

Sunday 23rd November 2008

Formula One driver Mark Webber could miss the whole of Red Bull Racing's winter testing programme after breaking his leg during a charity event in his native Australia.

The British-based driver was seriously injured after he collided with a car while riding his mountain bike as the 32-year-old competed in his own charity event on the Australian island of Tasmania.

Webber was airlifted to hospital where he underwent surgery for a broken leg.

Webber, who was taking part in the Mark Webber Pure Tasmania Challenge, a 250-kilometre endurance event consisting of mountain bike riding, kayaking and trekking, could now be forced to go into next year's Formula One season without taking part in valuable pre-season testing with new team-mate Sebastian Vettel.

He will also face a race to be fit in time for the opening round of the 2009 season in his native Australia.

A statement on Webber's website, www.markwebber.com, read: "Mark Webber was involved in a collision with a motor vehicle while cycling on the roads around Port Arthur, Tasmania, on the penultimate day of his annual charity adventure racing event, the Pure Tasmania Challenge.

"Mark was treated immediately at the scene by event medical staff before being transferred to a Tasmanian hospital where a rod was inserted in his right leg.

"The surgery was a success and Mark is now very focused on his rehabilitation. Mark suffered no other injuries from the accident, other than some bruising and a scratch on his left arm.

"It is likely that Mark will remain in Tasmania for a few days before continuing his recovery in Europe.

"While it looks like Mark is out of the winter testing programme, it is fully expected he will make the starting grid in Melbourne next March.

"Mark has said he's relieved to know the driver of the motor vehicle was uninjured and expressed his thanks to the many well wishes from family, friends and supporters."

Your Comments

Splatternick

"Well he has kicked every team mates butt so far! Vettel really will be a tough one, it will be very interesting! Oh, good luck with your fast recovery, Mark! You've had enough bad luck in your career, so next year can only get better!"

mort

"One thing a man doesn't do is kick another while he's down! I'm not doubting vettel's ability, I think he's a "great" talent and worthy of a F1 drive. I actually agree with you on that. But it's a real shame when someone doesn't understand what's happening when they watch a race. Webber has been "great" race in and race out, and when it hasn't gone well.....never gives up! I suppose that Frentzen was a waste of time too? "

dgrtscorpio

"Mort don't take it personal that webber sucks, he been in formula 1 for what feels like forever and he is not ever shown me anything special and he is going to get a proper butt kicking from Vettel next year. You will see for yourself when a new f1 driver(vettel) makes redbull see how much time they were wasting with 2 very average driver and don't you use the word great when it comes to webber because great he is not. "

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