From an emotional Michael Schumacher who claimed Pole position, to the ecstatic Aussie who claimed his first victory of the season, the magic of Monaco was as strong as ever this weekend.

With five different drivers scoring a first so far this season, the Formula One circus rolled up to the streets of Monaco wondering what would happen next? And whatever they had planned, it’s probably true to say that it didn’t come to pass. That was made evident with the results of qualifying. Rosberg made yet another strong showing claiming third, and for a while it looked as if Massa had finally returned to old form, as he topped the charts in the second phase of qualifying. But unfortunately come the final session he slipped back to finish behind his team mate Alonso who took sixth.

Meanwhile further up the grid Webber was showing a great turn of speed on a circuit he has won on previously, while the two Lotus’s continued their charge with Grosjean claiming fifth and Kimi Räikkönen a slightly less impressive ninth. Hamilton looked strong finally clinching fourth, while Button languished down in thirteenth. But the star of the day was without doubt Michael Schumacher who put his mastery of the circuit to good use to clinch pole in the dying seconds. An incredible performance from the returning champion and one that left a few bemused and bewildered.

Of course Michael’s elation was short lived as his five place grid penalty earned in Barcelona saw him relinquish the place which gifted pole to Mark Webber who took it with open arms.

Come the race, Mark reallly didn’t put a foot wrong. Leading into St Devote he then controlled the race from the front despite Rosberg shadowing presence in the early stages. In fact his biggest threat came from Vettel his team mate who was running a one stop strategy which bought him into play. But luck wasn’t with Sebastien and he failed to capitalise on what was admittedly a very slim chance.

Schumi meanwhile has tried to get round the outside at the start but got squeezed against the barrier by Grosjean who then promptly spun in front of most of the field. Amazing most avoided him, but the race was run for the young Frenchman.

For most of the chasers the race had various spots of excitment, but when possible rain turned out to be an odd few drops, the closely following pack pretty much new the die was cast for closing positions.

As so with Webber claiming victory, Rosberg taking a fine second and Alonso a solid third, the Spaniard now finds himself at the top of the driver’s table with the two Red Bull drivers sharing second and Lewis Hamilton in fourth.
So with yet another winner which makes it a record breaking six in the season so far, the championship remains wide open as the teams prepare for the next battle in Canada. Watch this space…