Webber is optimistic after RBR private tests

Red Bull Racing conducted a series of four-day tests in Valencia this week. After two days of driving, Mark Webber made good progress with the car and in the recovery of his broken leg.

The team launched its 2009 car a few weeks after most of the other teams. Even though it insisted that the extra time spent on design would make up for the lack of mileage, Red Bull was able to recover some of that delay thanks to this week.

Webber was behind the wheel of the RB5 for the first two days and is satisfied with his physical condition as he continues to recover from injuries sustained in a bicycle accident last November.

« I would say that the car has a bright future ahead and my leg rehabilitation is going well, » he announced.

« This is the first time I’ve driven two days in a row and there are no adverse effects. »

« The thigh is getting back to its normal size since I had lost muscle and, hopefully, it will be normal in Melbourne because I will have done the equivalent of six or seven Grand Prix in terms of distance. »

He added that Red Bull’s work in Valencia was focused on preparing for the Australian Grand Prix.

« We worked with Melbourne as the target because the Valencia track lends itself to that. »

His teammate Sebastian Vettel took over in the second half of the week, but refused to make predictions about Red Bull’s progress.

We did a lot of laps, but we must continue to work hard for the upcoming events. I think we’ll have to wait until Australia to see where we really stand compared to the other teams.

The team did not release any times for these tests.