Red Bull Racing has revealed that it expects driver Mark Webber to have recovered from his broken leg in time for the start of the 2009 Formula One season.

Webber sustained the injury to his right leg in a collision with a car during the Mark Webber Pure Tasmania Challenge and has already undergone surgery in hospital.

As a result of the incident, Webber will now be forced to miss winter testing and is also likely to be out of the Race of Champions event at Wembley stadium where he was due to join forces with World Superbike star Troy Bayliss in the Team Australia line-up.

However, Red Bull said it expected Webber to be on the grid for the first round of the new F1 season in the Spring once his recovery has been completed.

"Mark will remain in Tasmania for a few days before continuing his recovery in the UK," a team statement read. "While it looks like he's out of the winter testing programme, we fully expect Mark to make the starting grid in Melbourne next March.

"Mark has said he's relieved to know the driver of the motor vehicle was uninjured and expressed his thanks to the many well wishes from family, friends and supporters.

"Everyone at Red Bull Racing would like to add their best wishes to Mark and hope for his speedy recovery."