Hamilton: Monaco pole was “there for the taking”

Instead, Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo recorded the first non-Merc pole since 2012 in Monaco with a stunning Q3 lap, while both Mercedes cars suffered fuel pressure problems – with Lewis Hamilton having to be pushed back to his garage at the start of the session.

“We are used to being on pole for a couple of years now,” said team principal Toto Wolff. “Red Bull and Ricciardo deserved the pole, I’m not sure we could have beaten it – but unfortunately we had a scrappy session again with a fuel pressure problem with both cars in Q3.”

After rejoining the session midway through, Hamilton produced a couple of slow laps before one final effort that was only good for third.

“It was difficult qualifying, I don't really know what to say at the moment,” said Hamilton. “The good thing is I did get out to get a lap at least so it wasn’t as bad as some races I've been in that respect with the engine problems, I'm grateful to be up in third.

“Obviously pole was there for the taking, I think, but nonetheless I will do what I can to salvage what I can from today's result.

“I don't know what the problem is. If the car keeps going I will be fighting as hard as I can, you cannot overtake here – so hopefully it rains.”

Rosberg “not quick enough” for pole

His teammate Nico Rosberg, who will start from the front row on ultrasoft tyres compared to Ricciardo’s supersofts, admitted he didn’t have the pace to challenge for pole.

“I don't think it [the pole chance] went away from me, it was never with me,” said Rosberg. “Daniel was just quick today.

“They got a well-deserved pole and that is it. We just weren't quick enough.

“I was very surprised by his time in his first part of Q3, I saw on board and he was three tenths up the road. I knew that would be difficult to reach.

“For tomorrow, I don't know. There is the start – [Ricciardo] starting on harder tyres than anyone else is not good. We are fine on our strategy for sure.”