By PA SportsTicker
Formula One driver Mark Webber could miss the whole of Red Bull
Racing's winter testing program after breaking his leg during a
charity bike race 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 on
the injured leg.
"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," a statement on Webber's
personal web site read. "The surgery was a success. ... Mark
suffered no other injuries from the accident, other than some
bruising and a scratch on his left arm."
Webber, who was taking part in the Mark Webber Pure Tasmania
Challenge, a 250-kilometer 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 preseason testing with new teammate Sebastian Vettel.
He will also have to rehab quickly to be fit in time for the
opening round of the 2009 season in his native Australia.