Button pulls out of final testing

Jenson Button's rib injury has ruled him out of the final Formula One testing

session of the year this week.

The Honda driver fractured a couple of ribs in a karting accident recently,

and while he is improving, the team are fearful of any further incident

compounding the problem.

Button, who sat out the three-day test programmes in Barcelona and Jerez in

the last couple of weeks, will again find himself looking on when the teams

return to the latter circuit on Wednesday.

A team spokesperson confirmed: "We have been monitoring Jenson's rib injury

over the last few weeks and are delighted to say that it is healing very well.

"To ensure the healing process continues unabated we have taken the decision

that Jenson will not drive at this week's test in Jerez.

"He will however attend the test to take part in the engineering meetings and

to continue to stay fully up to date with our winter development programme."

Button also now misses the Race of Champions event at the Stade de France in

Paris on Saturday when he was due to partner World Touring Car champion Andy

Priaulx for Team England.

The nine-nation spectacular includes several top names from the world of

motorsport, including David Coulthard, Colin McRae and Sebastien Loeb.