Button will also skip Jerez test

The Honda Racing driver hurt his ribs in a recent karting accident and, although the injury itself is not keeping him out of the cockpit, the team do not want him exposed to the possibility of another bump that could cause more serious damage.

After being examined on Monday, it was decided that Button would be better off recovering for another week so his ribs are completely healed before he gets back in an F1 cockpit.

A team spokeswoman said: "The doctors took the view today that they would rather let it heal. We will think again later this week about the final test."

Should the ribs be deemed healed enough by the end of this week, then Button could still make it out onto the track for the second Jerez test next week - the final run before Christmas.

Button's absence means that he has yet to experience the new Bridgestone tyres that will be raced with next year. However, with Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen also out until January, it is unlikely to be much of a disadvantage at all.

Senior Honda sources suggest that they would actually be happier for Button to sit out the final Jerez test next week, so that he is fully fit for the first running of Honda's 2007 challenger in the next year.

"It is better for him to rest and recover fully in time for the new car," said one source.