Monaco: GP qualifying Hamilton grabs maiden Monaco pole

It is the Briton’s first success on the streets of his favourite circuit

MONACO: Defending world champion and current series leader Lewis Hamilton secured his maiden pole position at the Monaco Grand Prix when he topped Saturday’s qualifying times ahead of Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg.

It was the 30-year-old Briton’s first success on the streets of his favourite circuit and came at the ninth attempt as he outpaced Rosberg in a tight contest to claim the 43rd pole of his career.

“It has been a long, long time,” said Hamilton. “I can’t express to you how happy I am. It was not the easiest session. I am very, very happy. This track is so hard.”

Hamilton clocked a final best lap in one minute and 15.090 seconds to wind up three-tenths of a second clear of Rosberg and fellow-German Sebastian Vettel, who was third for Ferrari ahead of the two Red Bulls of Australian Daniel Ricciardo and Russian Daniil Kvyat.

Rosberg said, “It was the other way round for me. I knew Lewis was quick and it didn’t work out for me.”

Finn Kimi Raikkonen, who had crashed during morning practice, was sixth in the second Ferrari.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 24^th, 2015.

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