Nico Rosberg turned his controversial pole position into faultless victory for Mercedes on Sunday when he regained the lead in the drivers’ world championship by winning the Monaco Grand Prix.
The 28-year-old German came home 9.2 seconds clear of nearest rival and team-mate Lewis Hamilton who coped with loss of vision in one eye as he held off Australian Daniel Ricciardo’s Red Bull in the closing laps.
It was Rosberg’s second consecutive victory in his home event, his second win of the 2014 season and the fifth win of his career.
Fernando Alonso finished fourth for Ferrari ahead of Nico Hulkenberg of Force India and Jenson Button who finished sixth for McLaren.
Felipe Massa came home seventh for Williams, Jules Bianchi was eighth for Marussia ahead of fellow-Frenchman Romain Grosjean of Lotus and Dane Kevin Magnussen finished 10th in the second McLaren.
“Wahooooo! Thank-you everyone,” screamed a relieved Rosberg at the end of the 78-laps race. “This car is really amazing.”
Rosberg’s win carried him to 122 points in the title race ahead of Hamilton, who was only half a second ahead of Ricciardo as they crossed the line, on 118.
He added: “It’s a very special day, pressure on all way, I kept it cool.” –Sapa-AFP