Webber targeting February return

"I'm aiming to drive the car at the first test," Webber told the BBC. "Whether that's possible, I don't know, but if I have to wait another week or 10 days for the sake of the whole season, then I will."

The Australian fractured his leg while riding a mountain bike, when he collided with a car while competing in his own charity event in Tasmania last weekend.

Webber underwent surgery on Sunday and got rods inserted on his leg.

The 32-year-old admits his main priority is to be in perfect shape for the season opener in Australia in March.

"I will make sure I'm in the best shape I can be for the first race," he said. "Both [lower leg] bones are broken but the compound fracture was of the tibia and the bone was exposed.

"That complicates things a bit more but I am just learning to get up and about on crutches now.

"In terms of me driving the car, it is impossible for me to say how I will feel when the car comes out for the first time.

"We'll look at how much driving I'll do early on. If I have three decent tests going into Melbourne then I am totally focused on not letting the team down in final qualifying and on Sunday in Melbourne.

"That's a long way away - it's the last week in March. That's when it counts for me."

Webber admitted he is being inspired by former racers who suffered worse injuries than him.

"I think a lot about (Alex) Zanardi and these sort of guys - Mick Doohan as well," Webber added. "It's such an inspiration. I could be worse off.

"In a funny sort of way I'm looking forward to seeing the progress. I've never been in this position before in my life. I've got good people around me. The team have been amazing. I'll make sure we work very hard together to make sure it's seamless."