F1's Webber badly hurt in charity bike race

November 22, 2008

Australian Formula 1 driver Mark Webber has been seriously injured after being hit by a car while competing in a multi-sport charity event in Tasmania.

Webber, 32, who drives for the Red Bull 1 team team, was cycling near Port Arthur in southern Tasmania when he collided with a vehicle.

Tasmania Police Sergeant Jon Ford told Australian Associated Press his injuries were not life-threatening but he was taken to hospital by helicopter.

Webber was competing in his own charity event, the Mark Webber Pure Tasmania Challenge, a 250km challenge using mountain bikes, kayaks and trekking, when the accident happened
Webber was competing in his own charity event
.

It was the penultimate day of the five-day challenge, which also includes abseiling and whitewater rafting.

Event director Geoff Donohue said the Red Bull driver was in good spirits despite his injuries and expected to be fully recovered in time for the start of the new season in Melbourne on March 29.

Red Bull said on its team website that the 32-year-old would return to Britain to continue his recovery but was likely to miss much of European winter testing.

"It looks like he's out of the winter testing programme but we fully expect Mark to make the grid in Melbourne next March," the team added.

The Australian had also been due to take part in the Race of Champions event at London's Wembley Stadium next month.

Ford added: "He was attended at the scene by paramedics attached to the event before being flown to the Royal Hobart Hospital
'It looks like he's out of the winter testing programme'
."

The male driver of the vehicle escaped injury but no further details were known about him, said Ford.

Webber, who will be partnered by 21-year-old German Sebastian Vettel at Red Bull next year, is the experienced driver in the team's line-up after the retirement of Britain's David Coulthard.

The team ended last season in seventh place overall, with Webber scoring 21 of their 29 points. Webber hgas had two podium finishes in 121 F1 starts since his debut in the 2002 Australian GP in Melbourne. - AFP, Reuters