How will Red Bull organize its tests without Webber?

The news broke last weekend, Webber broke a leg after being hit by a car while cycling. He was participating in a charity event taking place in Tasmania.

The Australian has undergone surgery and is expected to miss a significant number of winter tests, although the team is confident he will be fit to participate in the first race of the 2009 season.

Sebastian Vettel, transferred from Toro Rosso to Red Bull, claims he will need to stay very focused to do his job while Webber will be absent.

« What happened to Mark is unfortunate, and I hope he gets back on his feet quickly. I haven’t had the chance to talk to him yet, » said the German on the official Formula 1 website.

« We will do these tests without him and we will miss him a lot, but the most important thing is that he is in shape for next season. »

« For the upcoming tests in Jerez, we cannot make any mistakes, as time is precious. »

The former Toro Rosso driver made a promising debut in Barcelona last week as the new Red Bull driver, finishing at the top on both days he participated.

As for the Red Bull team, they admit they are not worried about the winter schedule. Christian Horner, the team principal, believes they can stick to their testing program even in Mark Webber’s absence.

The Austrian team will have Sebastian Vettel and Sébastien Buemi as drivers for the tests at the end of this year 2008.

« We have planned to do only the second test in Jerez which will take place just before Christmas. Buemi will be present on the first day and Vettel will be there for the rest of the week. If there’s one positive thing in Marc’s accident, it’s the schedule, »

Horner also called David Coulthard to prepare as the Scotsman has just retired from being a racing driver.

“We don’t need him at the moment. Right now, he has many other concerns,” said Horner about Coulthard, who became a father for the first time last Friday.