Hamilton beats Rosberg in Monaco practice

Lewis Hamilton looked at his brilliant best as he topped first practice ahead of Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix.

The Englishman, who trails Rosberg by 43 points in the drivers’ championship, beat his German team-mate by just over 0.1s.

Sebastian Vettel was third quickest for Ferrari, who could challenge Mercedes for pole on Saturday based on initial pace.

Red Bull looks to be the third quickest car, with Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen in fourth and fifth ahead of Toro Rosso’s Daniil Kvyat.

The session ended in controversy after Jenson Button’s car was hit by a loose drain cover.

The cover smashed into Button’s front wing, causing major damage, and the session was ended with race organisers facing serious questions about safety.

But the morning certainly belonged to Hamilton, who bossed Rosberg throughout the session and was over two seconds clear at an early stage.

The defending champion’s ability to master the track was jaw dropping, and will fill him with confidence ahead of practice two this afternoon.

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