Monte Carlo (Monaco), May 23 (IANS): Mercedes Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton defeated Nico Rosberg to take the pole position for the first time in his career in the Monaco Grand Prix at the Circuit de Monaco-Monte Carlo here on Saturday.

The world champion beat Mercedes teammate Rosberg by 0.342 seconds, with Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel third ahead of Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo.

Australian Ricciardo's teammate Daniil Kvyat was fifth with Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen and Force India's Sergio Perez next.

Hamilton was thrilled to finally achieve pole, having been beaten here by Rosberg for the last two years.

The Englishman was defeated by Rosberg in the last race in Spain and heads into Sunday's race 20 points clear of the German in the drivers' championship, with Vettel a further 11 behind.

Pole in Monaco is the most important position of the year because of the difficulty of overtaking on the claustrophobic street track in the Mediterranean principality.

Hamilton has looked the in-form driver all weekend, and he carried that form into qualifying.