Webber to Skip Jerez Test

Although this week's run at Jerez is vital for Williams as they bid to get to the bottom of why their latest aerodynamic package has not lived up to expectations, Webber believes it would be counter-productive to get back in the cockpit.

The Australian burned his hip during the French Grand Prix when a component came loose in the cockpit, allowing hot air into his race seat. Despite the team throwing water into the car during pitstops, the heat managed to burn his skin through his overalls.

With the injury having not healed properly since France, and causing problems at Silverstone last weekend, Webber has decided to rest at home this week.

"It wouldn't be sensible to go to Jerez and do three Grand Prix distances and then try and go to Hockenheim to race," he said.  "Unfortunately, every time I get in the car I set the injury back.

"The burn on the hip was quite painful and (at Silverstone) became quite raw again."

Webber's absence from the test will come as a blow to Williams, who need all the input they can get to understand their new aerodynamic package better.

The team are adamant that the Mark II developments introduced at the French Grand Prix are a step forward, but they are mystified about why their improvements in the wind-tunnel have not translated onto the track.

In a bid to help their case, the team decided to allow Nick Heidfeld to run with the older configuration at Silverstone last week so they could conduct back-to-back evaluations.

Heidfeld will now be joined at the test by test drivers Antonio Pizzonia and Nico Rosberg.