Webber ready to throw off crutches

Eurosport - Wed, 14 Jan 17:51:00 2009

Australian Formula One driver Mark Webber expects to be off crutches early next week and back in full training after making a steady recovery from a broken leg in November.

FORMULA 1_Mark Webber - 0

The 32-year-old said that he drove his road car on Sunday for the first time since the bicycle accident and was set to resume testing with Red Bull after the launch of their 2009 car at Spain's Jerez circuit on February 9.

"I've told the team to prepare as normal," he said.

Webber broke his lower right leg after a collision with a four-wheel drive vehicle while competing in his own multi-sport charity event in Tasmania.

The F1 season starts in Melbourne on March 29, with major rule changes including the use of slick tyres and revised aerodynamics that drivers have already said will take some getting used to.

Red Bull, who have race-winning German youngster Sebastian Vettel joining Webber this season, have three tests scheduled after the launch.

Webber, who returned to England before Christmas, said he could have got back behind the wheel of his road car some time ago but there was no point in taking any risks at this stage.

"I'm doing a lot of work in the pool, just getting the muscles firing again in that leg," he said.

The Australian said he had lost quite a lot of aerobic fitness but would soon be back up to a level where he could get the job done, even if 12-mile runs would still be out of the question.

The Australian said he may also have preferred to see the new race car running earlier but was looking forward to getting back to work.

"I'm going to learn a lot when I drive the car for the first time," he told the BBC.

"I am extremely confident things will be right but if I have to adjust a few things, if I get any soreness in the leg, then I will.

"I do not think I will be disadvantaged as a result of breaking my leg and I can tell you now that I will not be using it as an excuse in Melbourne. I will be there, ready to go."

Reuters

Comment 1 - 12 of 12

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  1. well said Leigh, I agree entirely.

    From owen gayer, on Thu 15 Jan 8:43AM

  2. Bernard or whatever you scribe as today, Webber is a­ stunningly good driver and not just a pilot. This year­ will go some way to demonstrate the difference between­ drivers and pilot's. When reflex is needed to keep­ the cars at the limit, Mark Webber will be one of only­ 6 drivers capable. The capability of the car may be a­ different story. I accept you are entitled to your­ opinion but please grow up and post constructive­ comments not rubbish.

    From leigh_msn, on Thu 15 Jan 8:12AM

  3. A FERRARI WIN IN 2009 WILL BE JUSTICE FOR ALL TRUE F1­ FANS...
    NO GLOK NO HAMILTON TITLE SIMPLE AS!!!
    BESIDES­ MCLAREN AND HAMILTON SIMPLY CHEAT TOO MUCH.

    From leigh_msn, on Wed 14 Jan 9:44PM

  4. Good to see Mark will be back, hopefully he can score­ well this year, it seems his bad luck streak just keeps­ getting worse. I'm sure Vettel will keep his­ spirits up though!

    From tifosi4eva, on Wed 14 Jan 8:53PM

  5. dont throw them away mark - you will need them as­ kindling to get a fire going under your seat

    From EleanaV, on Wed 14 Jan 5:14PM

  6. 'The decision to demote Lewis Hamilton to third­ place here yesterday will long be remembered as being­ farcical and disgraceful by all in motor racing.­

    'Lewis Hamilton had scored a sensational victory­ at Spa-Francorchamps - snatching victory from the jaws­ of defeat just when it seemed that Kimi Raikkonen was­ on course to emulate the great Jim Clark's feat of­ four victories in a row here after dominating the race.­

    'Then the race stewards adjudged Hamilton to­ have gained advantage by cutting a chicane and gave him­ a ridiculous retrospective 25-second penalty, which­ dropped him to third and rendered the race a joke.'

    From Hell Y, on Wed 14 Jan 4:28PM

  7. 'The decision to demote Lewis Hamilton to third­ place here yesterday will long be remembered as being­ farcical and disgraceful by all in motor racing.­

    'Lewis Hamilton had scored a sensational victory­ at Spa-Francorchamps - snatching victory from the jaws­ of defeat just when it seemed that Kimi Raikkonen was­ on course to emulate the great Jim Clark's feat of­ four victories in a row here after dominating the race.­

    'Then the race stewards adjudged Hamilton to­ have gained advantage by cutting a chicane and gave him­ a ridiculous retrospective 25-second penalty, which­ dropped him to third and rendered the race a joke.'

    From Hell Y, on Wed 14 Jan 4:28PM

  8. 'The decision to demote Lewis Hamilton to third­ place here yesterday will long be remembered as being­ farcical and disgraceful by all in motor racing.­

    'Lewis Hamilton had scored a sensational victory­ at Spa-Francorchamps - snatching victory from the jaws­ of defeat just when it seemed that Kimi Raikkonen was­ on course to emulate the great Jim Clark's feat of­ four victories in a row here after dominating the race.­

    'Then the race stewards adjudged Hamilton to­ have gained advantage by cutting a chicane and gave him­ a ridiculous retrospective 25-second penalty, which­ dropped him to third and rendered the race a joke.'

    From Hell Y, on Wed 14 Jan 4:27PM

  9. That's Tim Henman.

    From BigBill, on Tue 13 Jan 10:31PM

  10. These Ozzies are tough guys. He doesn't just leave­ the crutches in the hospital like everyone else, He­ THROWS THEM OFF! Ooooooh!

    From Count Louis Zborowski, on Tue 13 Jan 10:21PM

  11. no not that one the other one

    From piers, on Tue 13 Jan 8:48PM

  12. brek a leg mark

    From Gary, on Tue 13 Jan 7:07PM
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