Retired driver David Coulthard is confident former team-mate Mark Webber will be "fine" after breaking his leg.

Webber picked up the injury when he collided with a car whilst competing in a 250-kilometre multi-discipline endurance event in Tasmania in November.

Coulthard believes breaking your left leg isn't too much of a problem for Formula One drivers.

"I think he'll be fine," the retired Scot told the ITV website.

"It's a bad break, but the season is starting later than usual and we won't be getting the new car until February anyway.

"Also, it's his right leg. If it was the left leg, where you really need the strength for braking, I would be a lot more concerned, but the right leg isn't a big deal.

Webber is hoping to return to action on February 10, meaning he would miss Red Bull's winter testing programme at the start of 2009. Coulthard, though, doesn't think it will have a negative effect on the team's testing programme.

"We won't be getting the car until February anyway; in January we'll be running some test items, but we won't have the KERS system or the final wing package, and if necessary I can do some testing," he said.

"So I really don't see it as a setback at all. If anything, Mark will use the time - because he'll be less mobile - to be more efficient with his time and focus on the year ahead."