Webber to miss winter testing

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.

A statement on Webber's website, www.markwebber.com, read: "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."

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.

The statement continued: "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.

"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."