Mercedes' Rosberg wins Monaco Grand Prix

MONACO (AFP) –

Mercedes‘ German driver Nico Rosberg (left) leads after the start of the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit de Monaco in Monte Carlo on May 26, 2013. Rosberg became the first son of a former Monaco Grand Prix winner to triumph on the streets of the Mediterranean principality when he drove his Mercedes to an accomplished victory on Sunday.

Nico Rosberg became the first son of a former Monaco Grand Prix winner to triumph on the streets of the Mediterranean principality when he drove his Mercedes to an accomplished victory on Sunday.

In a chaotic race littered with accidents, red flags and two Safety Car interventions, the 27-year-old German, son of 1983 victor and original ‘flying Finn’ Keke Rosberg, produced an impeccable and flawless race to claim the second win of his career.

After more than two hours and 20 minutes of contested action, he came home ahead of second placed defending triple world champion German Sebastian Vettel and his Red Bull team-mate Australian Mark Webber.

Briton Lewis Hamilton, the 2008 champion and Rosberg’s Mercedes team-mate, finished fourth after losing two positions due to the delayed introduction of the first Safety Car early in the race.

It was the first win by a Mercedes works team driver at the Monaco Grand Prix since Manfred Von Brauchitsch on August 8, 1937 and came 30 years on from his father’s win. Keke Rosberg was watching from the paddock.

Rosberg, blessed with the looks of a Hollywood star, showed a minor galaxy of celebrity guests how much concentration is required with his accomplished win as he dominated from start to finish.

“Yesssss!” he screamed on the team radio after crossing the line. “Come on. I can’t believe it – the car has been awesome. Thank you – it’s been very special for me today.”

William’s Venezuelan driver Pastor Maldonado drives during the qualifying session at the Circuit de Monaco in Monte Carlo on May 25, 2013. The Monaco Grand Prix had to be stopped after 46 laps Sunday following a huge crash involving Williams driver Maldonado and Max Chilton of Marussia.

Rosberg had started from his third successive pole position, but this time managed to convert that advantage into a victory. “Very well done, Nico,” said Mercedes team chief Ross Brawn. “A fantastic job. With all the incidents going on, you managed it perfectly.”

German Adrian Sutil finished a strong fifth for Force India ahead of Briton Jenson Button for McLaren, two-time champion Spaniard Fernando Alonso of Ferrari and Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne, who started 10th and finished eighth for Toro Rosso.

Briton Paul Di Resta started 14th and finished ninth in the second Force India with luckless Finn Kimi Raikkonen taking 10th for Lotus after being pushed out of fifth by a collision with aggressive Mexican Sergio Perez of McLaren.

Brazilian Felipe Massa in the second Ferrari started from the back of the grid and crashed again in a replica of his big accident on Saturday morning, this collision causing a red-flag stoppage.

In the drivers’ championship, Vettel enhanced his position as leader with 107 points ahead of Raikkonen on 86 and Alonso on 78.