Jenson Button to miss final test of 2006

By Phil Huff
December 11 2006

Honda Racing F1 have confirmed that Jenson Button is to miss the final test of the year, as revealed here at RealHondaF1.com last week, as he continues to recover from a couple of cracked ribs.

Already forced to miss the first and second rounds of winter testing at Barcelona and Jerez, Button will also be absent from this week's final test, also at the Jerez circuit, as we confirmed on 5 December. The Briton will, however, attend the test, participating in engineering meetings as he tries to shape the 2007 car towards his requirements.

The team will continue testing with team mate Rubens Barrichello, alongside new signing Christian Klien and young driver James Rossiter.

Cracked ribs are not particularly serious, and there's very rarely any treatment. Strapping of the ribs relieves pain, but causes problems with lung movement. As such, Jenson's just got to take a few painkillers and refrain from being too active. Testing would certainly aggravate the condition, hence his standing down.