SYDNEY - AUSTRALIAN Formula One driver Mark Webber has had successful surgery on his fractured right leg after being hit head-on by a car while cycling in a multi-sport charity event in Tasmania.

His Red Bull Racing team expects Webber, 32, to make the starting grid for the opening F1 race of the 2009 season in Melbourne next March.

'He was treated immediately at the scene by event medical staff before being transferred to hospital where a rod was inserted in his right leg,' Red Bull Racing said in a statement on its website.

RBR said Webber would remain in Tasmania for a few days before continuing his recovery in Britain.

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

'Mark has said he's relieved to know the driver of the motor vehicle was uninjured and expressed his thanks for the many well wishes from family, friends and supporters.'

Charity event director Geoff Donohue said Webber was in good spirits despite his injuries in Saturday's accident.

'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,' Donohue told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on Sunday.

'He is already talking about his rehab programme and how the challenge must go on.

'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 programme.'

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

Webber has had two podium finishes in 121 F1 starts since his debut in the 2002 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.