Red Bull have already begun testing ahead of the 2009 F1 season.

BBC: Webber breaks leg in bike crash

Ferrari impressed in pre-season testing while much is also expected at Red Bull where Vettel is hoping to go one better after finishing runner-up to Button in last season's championship race.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

It means the British team will head to the first of four winter sessions at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia between 1-3 February with a standard 2010 chassis and a limited number of updates, while rivals Red Bull and Ferrari will unveil their new models for on-track testing.

BBC: McLaren deny missing winter testing session is risky

Speaking on the final day of pre-season testing on Sunday, Brawn said Mercedes, McLaren and Red Bull had all closed in on Ferrari in the last month.

BBC: Ross Brawn says top Formula 1 teams are closely matched

While Lotus was acknowledged even in preseason testing to have a pace comparable to the likes of Red Bull and Ferrari, there was a nagging doubt whether it would have the depth of financial resources to challenge its bigger rivals throughout the season.

NPR: Lotus' Raikkonen Wins F1's Australian GP

Both drivers blamed inconsistencies with their cars for the disappointing qualifying display at their home race, but Schumacher made it clear he believes the testing ban is severely restricting the team's chances of catching Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari in the development race.

BBC: F1 test ban ridiculous - Michael Schumacher

Red Bull did not test the constructors' championship-winning RB6 in the first winter testing session of 2010 and suffered early-season problems when Sebastian Vettel lost the lead at the Bahrain Grand Prix because of a spark plug problem, finishing fourth as a result, before retiring in the following race in Australia with a wheel problem.

BBC: McLaren deny missing winter testing session is risky

Webber's accident leaves Red Bull relying on his team-mate, the inexperienced German Sebastian Vettel, for their testing in the meantime.

BBC: Webber targets return in February