RBR trust Webber's absence won't be felt

Red Bull Racing team boss Christian Horner is confident the outfit's winter testing programme will not be hindered by the absence of Mark Webber

Gerhard Kuntschik Pablo Elizalde Nov 25, 2008, 10:05 AM

The Australian driver is expected to miss most, if not all, of winter testing after breaking his leg in a accident while riding a bicycle.

Red Bull are optimistic that he will be fit for the start of the 2009 season, however.

Horner, whose team will use Sebastian Vettel and Sebastien Buemi in the final test of the year, said that at least the timing of Webber's injury was not too bad.

"We planned to do only the second Jerez test," Horner told autosport.com, "and there we will have Buemi on the first day and Vettel on the next days in the car.

"If there is anything positive in Mark's accident it is the timing."

Horner also ruled out using David Coulthard in testing already, the Scot having just retired from racing.

"No, DC at the moment has a lot of other duties," said Horner of Coulthard, who became a father for the first time last Friday.