Hamilton: The job is not even half done

After storming to pole by a healthy margin, reigning F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton is adamant that the job of winning the Monaco Grand Prix will still be a major challenge.

Speaking after another impressive qualifying performance, Hamilton told reporters, "The job is not even half done. There is so much to do in the race. There is a long way to go. It's going to be mentally and physically challenging. I'm just so happy nothing was able to get in my way [in qualifying]."

It will be the first time in his F1 career that Hamilton has started the world's most glamourous race from the top spot on the grid, "I'm just sitting here thinking about all the previous years and things that kind of got in the way or that I wasn't good enough or whatever it may be."

"I'm looking forward to the race. I have always been quick in the race here but [started] further back," Hamilton recalled. "It’s going to be mentally and physically challenging. I think 2006 in GP2 was the last time I started on pole here."

Although Hamilton leads the standings by 20 points, Rosberg bounced back to win last time out in Spain and many believe that the outcome of Monaco will have a major impact on the championship battle.

Basically this one Rosberg needs to win, because victory for Hamilton will simply increase the psychological advantage the Briton has on his German teammate, let alone the points gap.

Hamilton has only won once before at Monaco, in 2008 as a McLaren driver, while his Silver Arrows teammate has won it twice in the past two years - this time around Rosberg is gunning for a hat-trick at the Principality.

With Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff declaring that both drivers are free to race with no team orders, this edition of the Monaco Grand Prix is as intriguing as ever.