Hamilton quickest in Monte Carlo

Hamilton posted the quickest time throughout practice, with the McLaren star's intent clear as he aims to go one better than his second-placed finish of a year ago.

It could all be in vain, though, because despite clear blue skies dominating across the Cote d'Azur, rain is forecast this weekend.

In dry conditions, Hamilton did all that was asked of him as he was comfortably fastest by almost 0.4secs from the Williams of Nico Rosberg.

The 23-year-old's lap of one minute 15.140secs was almost 0.6secs quicker than Fernando Alonso's pole position of last season.

Hamilton knows if he is to take the chequered flag on Sunday, he has to follow in the footsteps of his former team-mate and be at the head of affairs come the start of the race.

"The car felt great almost immediately, and I was able to show a good pace from the very beginning," said Hamilton. "There is a long way to go, but I enjoy this so much and we will work hard to continue making progress.

"It will be especially difficult here in the wet, especially this year without traction control.

"But despite that, I'm still looking forward to it. It's going to be a challenge."

Behind Rosberg, reigning world champion and current leader in the drivers' standings Kimi Raikkonen was third overall, close to half a second down.