Injured Webber aims for February return

Red Bull Racing’s Mark Webber missed the last test sessions of the season after breaking his leg in a road accident in Tasmania.

The Aussie was taking part in his own Pure Tasmania Challenge charity event when his mountain bike was in collision with a car. Fortunately his injuries were not as serious as first feared and were confined to his lower right leg.

He quickly began a programme of physiotherapy in Australia by taking to the swimming pool, and returned to his home in the UK just before Christmas. Webber aims to be fit enough for the first test of the new RB5 in February. In his absence new team-mate Sebastian Vettel is doing most of the winter mileage.

“Mark’s making good progress and he’s doing limited exercise in a swimming pool,” said team principal Christian Horner. “Thanks to his fitness his recovery is well accelerated compared to a mere mortal like you or I, so the doctors are very pleased with the progress he’s making. I know he’s impatient, and at this stage of his recuperation patience is required, but we expect to see him back in February.”