Lewis Hamilton vows to atone for missed chances in Monaco
ByAutoSport
Updated 23/05/2015 at 14:54 GMT
Lewis Hamilton is determined to make up for Monaco Grands Prix that have got away in the past after finally clinching his first Formula 1 pole position at the famed street track.
Lewis Hamilton
Image credit: Imago
At the ninth time of asking in his F1 career, Hamilton will start from top spot on the grid in Monte Carlo after ending Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg's bid for a hat-trick of consecutive poles at the Principality.
A mistake from Rosberg on his second run in Q3, combined with a sublime lap from reigning champion Hamilton ensured the Briton finished four tenths of a second clear of the German.
Hamilton said: "It 's been a long time. It was 2006 in GP2 the last time I was on pole here.
Report: Hamilton takes first Monaco GP pole
"This is a very special day, so a big thanks to the team because the performance we have in the car is outstanding.
"Obviously I now hope we can have a result tomorrow, but I've not even done half the job yet.
"I'm sitting here now thinking about previous situations here that have got away and not been good enough."
Nothing could hide Hamilton's delight, though, at claiming a long-overdue pole at the circuit, his fifth this season and 43rd of his career.
"I don't see this as a milestone, but it's definitely an important day for me," said Hamilton, who was behind Rosberg at the end of Q1 and Q2.
"Every year it's been quite poor. Sometimes I've not had the car, things have got in the way, sometimes I've had the car, but not executed it.
"So I can't tell you how happy I am, in particular as that was not an easy session.
"I didn't have any rhythm until the last two laps, so coming across the line I was really, really happy."
Rosberg twice locked up at Ste Devote, first at the end of Q2 and then again on his final Q3 lap.
"I was probably the opposite to Lewis as I had a good rhythm starting off in qualifying, which I hadn't had all weekend," said Rosberg.
"But then I lost touch a little towards the end.
"I was going for it because I had to because I knew Lewis was quick. It didn't work out. That's it. "
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