Webber seriously hurt in bicycle crash, to miss testing
That was the reaction of the Australian driver's team Red Bull Racing, after 32-year-old Webber broke his right leg in two places in a mountain bike crash during his own outdoor adventure race in Tasmania at the weekend.
Webber had a rod inserted in his damaged leg during surgery in the hours after the incident, and he is set to remain in a Hobart hospital for a few days before returning to the UK.
"While it looks like he's out of the winter testing program, we fully expect Mark to make the starting grid in Melbourne next March," Red Bull said in a statement.
His supporters were invited to send personal messages to feedback@redbullf1.com, "and we'll make sure he gets all your mail", Red Bull added.
11/22/08 (GMM) Mark Webber on Saturday underwent surgery, after he broke his right leg in a cycling crash during his own outdoor adventure event in Tasmania.
"The surgery is complete, a pin inserted and the recovery begins," Geoff Donohue, event director, confirmed.
Despite reports of more serious injuries, including possible multiple bone fractures, Donohue said the broken leg is the Red Bull driver's only problem.
"He has a little bit of a graze on his left forearm, but he has had full scans and everything else is clear," he said of Webber, 32.
"He'll be in hospital for at least three days, for sure under a week."
Webber was airlifted from the scene near Port Arthur to the Royal Hobart Hospital, and later transferred to Hobart Private Hospital.
It is understood he will be out of action for at least six weeks, with Donohue confirming that Webber will surely miss Red Bull's scheduled test at Jerez next month.
"He might miss out on a little bit of testing but at this stage that's about all," he said.
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| Mark Webber won't be doing any off-season F1 testing for awhile |
11/22/08 (GMM) Mark Webber has sustained serious injuries while competing in his outdoor adventure race in Tasmania.
The Australian, who drives in formula one for Red Bull, is believed to have collided with an oncoming four-wheel drive car on an open road near Port Arthur, in the south east of the island state, as he was riding a mountain bike on Saturday.
"As a result of the collision, (Webber) suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries," a police spokesman said.
"He was attended at the scene by paramedics attached to the event before being airlifted to the Royal Hobart Hospital."
Some reports, backed by a source with the Tasmanian Ambulance Service, suggest the 31-year-old suffered multiple arm and leg fractures.
"It would appear he's suffered a fractured leg but until doctors confirm the extent of Mark's injuries, we won't know for sure — it's still early days," said event director Geoff Donohue.