Sunday, November 23, 2008 - 8:23 AM

Australian Formula One driver Mark Webber has had surgery to pin his broken right leg after being hit by a car while cycling in a multi-sport charity event in Tasmania.

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 the European winter testing.

"While it looks like he's out of the winter testing program, we fully expect Mark to make the starting grid in Melbourne next March," the team said.

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

"I chatted to him just before his operation and he's in really good spirits considering, and he's very philosophical and goal-focused as Mark generally is," Mr Donohue said.

"He is already talking about his rehab program and how the challenge must go on."

Mr Donohue said earlier reports that Webber had suffered life-threatening injuries and multiple fractures were wrong.

"I obviously didn't take too well to that, given he's got a lot of friends and family all over the world," he said.

"The main focus right now is, he's had the operation, which is really good and it appears that was all very routine and successful and he'll probably be here for a few days before he takes the next step in terms of getting into his rehab program."

Webber will be partnered by 21-year-old German young gun Sebastian Vettel at Red Bull next year following the retirement of Briton David Coulthard.

ABC motor racing commentator Will Hagon said it is a setback Webber did not need.

"The team's hoping that the car is becoming more competitive but he's got a driver that's really going to push him next year as a team-mate, more so than probably David Coulthard who's just retired, so you just need every possible thing going for you," he said.

Webber was cycling near the historic convict town of Port Arthur when he and a four-wheel drive collided.

He had been competing on the penultimate day of his own charity event, the Mark Webber Pure Tasmania Challenge, a 250km event using mountain bikes, kayaks and trekking, when the accident happened.

The male driver of the vehicle escaped injury but no further details were known about the motorist.