Rosberg overcomes suspension damage

The Williams driver, whose fifth placed grid slot is his best of the season, had to overcome the problem with his car in the first laps of the utough Q2 session.

"I couldn't really predict where we would end up today, so qualifying fifth was fine," said the German. "I was pushing like hell out there, particularly because I had some damage to my rear suspension on the first few laps of Q2.

"It was really important that I recorded such a good time in the first run, even if the track wasn't at its best and this got me through to the third session.

"Starting grid position is everything in Monaco, so we did well in the most important task so far this weekend. I reckon our chances for tomorrow's race are very good. We would be happy to finish where we are starting from - fifth place would be good, but it would be great to do better."

Teammate Alex Wurz had a less satisfactory time, after a slide through Ste Devote cost him the time he needed to get through to Q3.

"Today's outcome all came down to my last run in Q2 when I slid a bit wide in turn one and I guess that cost me making it through to Q3 and a place in the top ten," said Wurz, who will start 11th . "There is not much more to add.

"I am now 11th on the grid, so tomorrow I will see if it is possible to score some points, which some drivers have certainly managed in the past. To do this here will be hard, but it's a long race, so let's wait and see."