Monday, December 6, 2010

Webber kept injury hidden

Mark Webber has exposed he suffered a broken shoulder in a mountain bike crash during the Formula One title run-in.

The Australian sustained the injury with four grands prix remaining in the season and when holding an 11-point lead over Ferrari's Fernando Alonso at the top of the drivers' standings.

In his book that reviews his championship tilt, Up Front - 2010, A Season To Remember, Webber in no way blames the wound for missing out on the title. He ended up third, 14 points behind winner, and Red Bull team-mate, Sebastian Vettel.

Remarkably, although Webber has confirmed the need for painkilling injections ahead of the races in Japan and Korea, he decided to keep the injury secret from Red Bull team principal Christian Horner.

Only those close to him, in particular trainer Roger Cleary and FIA chief medical officer Gary Hartstein, were aware of the break.