Mark Webber is optimistic of making a comeback to take part in Red Bull Racing's pre-season testing programme.

The 32-year-old suffered a compound fracture after colliding with a car while riding a mountain bike in the Mark Webber Pure Tasmania Challenge - a 250-kilometre multi-discipline endurance event.

The accident will rule the Australian out of much of Red Bull's winter testing, which in the main will see the team running a hybrid version of their 2008 challenger, but Webber expects to be back for the anticipated debut of the full 2009-spec car on February 10.

"I'm aiming to drive the car at the first test," Webber told BBC Sport.

"Whether that's possible, I don't know, but if I have to wait another week or 10 days for the sake of the whole season, then I will.

"I will make sure I'm in the best shape I can be for the first race."

Webber revealed that his rehabilitation programme would progress at a steady pace until the beginning of February, at which time he expects to take on an increased workload in order to be fit for the season opener in Melbourne on March 29.

"Both [lower leg] bones are broken but the compound fracture was of the tibia and the bone was exposed," he continued. "That complicates things a bit more but I am just learning to get up and about on crutches now.

"At the moment there is pressure and swelling whenever I stand up. There is talk it will be like that for the next two or three weeks and come the first week of February, we should be on target for me to be able to walk unaided.

"And then the acceleration between the first week of February and the first week of March will be quite extreme in terms of me getting about.

"In terms of me driving the car, it is impossible for me to say how I will feel when the car comes out for the first time."

Webber's injury comes as Red Bull are getting to grips with a major overhaul to the F1 sporting regulations for 2009, which will see cars running with reduced downforce, a new energy-storage system and slick tyres.

The experience of the former Williams, Jaguar and Minardi driver would have been a major asset, but the Milton Keynes-based outfit will instead have to rely largely on feedback from Sebastian Vettel, who has joined from sister team Toro Rosso.

However, Webber insists the team will cope in his absence.

"I still could be there, physically," Webber added. "We've got a youngster who has got his head totally screwed on.

"There is a big regulation change and a lot of excitement for a lot of teams with the clean sheet of paper. I could go down to tests but I want to make sure it doesn't affect my rehab.

"The best thing is to concentrate on myself and work closely with the team and I'm ready when I'm ready."