Webber raced the last 4 races with a fractured shoulder.

[Scott]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/88605

[Ian]

Full marks to Mark then(no pun intended)no wonder I thought his form had fallen off, it must have still been very painful and you don't need that with those G forces.

[Williamsfan]

He has so definitely got to give up the biking!!

[John S]

Seems like Mark was at a disadvantage in the last few races, but hold on a mimute there is definetly something a little odd in all this. Mark claims he kept the information of his injury from the team - What?????? If this is true he may well find himself up before the FIA for a disciplinary hearing, failing to notifying the relevant authourities and not getting clearance to race when injured is against the rules of his super licence surely. 

 

[romephius]

When I read the story on F1.com it said the only 2 that knew about it were his physio and the FIA doctor.... surely that would mean he's ok with the FIA, I'm just not so sure the team would be all that happy.

[cosworth151]

I agree with WF: Dude, give up the bikes!

Simple broken shoulders (a single break of the clavicle) are treated with a figure 8 strap that goes around the shoulders and across the back. I can see how it could be hidden.

[Williamsfan]

Well, publicly Horner is 'disappointed' so I am sure in private he is furious.  Not smart of Mark to do keep it a secret and then announce it in a book though.

From autosport:

Horner disappointed at Webber secrecy   

By Jonathan Noble   Tuesday, December 7th 2010, 09:05 GMT

Red Bull Racing chief Christian Horner has expressed his disappointment at the failure of Mark Webber to inform the team about the shoulder injury he picked up before the Japanese Grand Prix.

News about Webber fracturing his shoulder emerged this week following publication of a new book - Mark Webber: Up Front - which the Australian has published in Australia.

In the book, Webber reveals that he crashed into a friend as they went out cycling on the Sunday prior to the Suzuka event. It was the first time Webber had been back on a mountain bike since he broke his leg in Tasmania at the end of 2008.

Webber kept the shoulder injury, which required pain-killing injections, secret from his team at the time - and did not even inform them once the campaign had finished.

That course of action has left Horner far from impressed - even though the team principal does not think the injury led to any drop in form from Webber.

"I didn't even know about the book, let alone the shoulder," Horner was quoted as saying by The Daily Telegraph. "It is obviously disappointing that Mark said nothing. It was an injury that did not appear to have any effect on his performance but all the same it would have been nice to know about it."

Horner also suggested that the cycling incident may point to the fact that Webber would be better off keeping clear of mountain biking while he is still racing.

"Our drivers have an obligation to make sure they are fit," he said. "It seems bikes don't agree with Mark so maybe it would be better if he stayed away from them."

[Ian]

Oops, slapped wrist for Mark. 

[lkjohnson1950]

Isn't it a little stupid to indulge in a high risk sport during the season? I know drivers all think they are invincible but come on. And not informing the team could be grounds for dismissal. Not the brightest moment in his career.

Lonny

[romephius]

Not telling is one thing... but don't for 1 second kid yourselves... multiple drivers take part in risky activities during the season, Jenson with his triathlon, Kimi a couple years ago with his snow mobile race and those are the couple I remember.... Mark isn't the only one to take a risk, he got bitten by it, didn't tell and that's his only wrong doing... not telling the team about it.

[cosworth151]

I remember a few years ago when JPM missed a race or two from injuries he got playing tennis.

[Dare]

after being seriously injures once before on bikes I wonder
if RB had a clause in his contract forbidding in season biking?

This one may come bak to bite him

[lkjohnson1950]

I remember a few years ago when JPM missed a race or two from injuries he got playing tennis.

The rumor at the time, as I recall, was that he actually got hurt on a motorcycle or something similar and reported it as a "tennis" injury because he was in violation of some clause in his contract. Maybe someone remembers the details?

Lonny

[Williamsfan]

I think Montoya's accident was caused through an incident on a quad bike, but they did make out it was tennis related due to his contract. 

[Scott]

I doubt Webber's contract had anything about not riding bikes in it - most drivers train on bikes after all.  I would guess that he didn't tell the team because he didn't want them to pull him out of the car with 4 races remaining and him having the lead at the time.