Webber wins in Monacoposted in F127 | 05 | 2012

RED BULL'S MARK WEBBER made history, by becoming the sixth different driver to win one of the opening grands prix of the Formula One season, when he dominated today's Monaco Grand Prix. It's the first time six different drivers have won the opening races. Scot Paul di Resta was seventh for Sahara Force India.

Webber (pictured), who started the race from pole position, won F1's Blue Riband event for the second time: it's also Red Bull's third win in the tiny principality in succession, after team-mate Sebastian Vettel won last year.

Webber controlled the race, eventually leading home a five-car train, just 0.643secs ahead the Nico Rosberg's Mercedes. The Ferrari of Fernando Alonso was third, a further 0.304s further back.

Vettel finished fourth, 4.101s behind his team-mate, with Lewis Hamilton completing the top five. Ferrari's Felipe Massa took sixth, ahead of Di Resta and his Sahara Force India team-mate Nico Hulkenberg.

Webber though was delighted to claim his first win of the season, a victory which ties him with Vettel in the title race, just three points behind championship leader Alonso.

See more official photos of Scot Paul di Resta in action in Monaco

"I'm feeling incredible. It was a very interesting race," Webber said afterwards. "It was reasonably straightforward at the start, getting the gap on the super softs and just managing with Nico. We had a bit of a gap over the rest so both of us were getting away and trying to get into a reasonable gap.

"The weather was threatening around that pitstop window, and we didn't know whether to go a bit longer and put on a set of inters. Nico went for the undercut so a few people had to react to his chess move.

"But to win here for a second time is just terrific and really sets me up for the rest of the season."

Rosberg, meanwhile, argued his Mercedes was the "best car" in the race but admitted he could do nothing to overtake Webber.

"We were miles ahead of everyone else but I was not able to get Mark," Rosberg, who won earlier this year in China and whose team-mate Michael Schumacher retired with engine problems, said. "After that, Mark drove a great race, very controlled.

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"In general it has been a good weekend for me and team. I think I had the best car, that is my feeling. That is really cool and let's hope there is a lot more to come in the next few races."

And Alonso was pleased with his third place, as it meant he achieved his primary goal: to finish ahead of his main rivals in the championship.

"Our target was to finish in front of Sebastian and Lewis," he admitted. "They were with us in the world championship and if you go race-by-race you concentrate on different drivers. The next one will be Mark, who is now second in the championship.

"It will be interesting this season with the see constant development of the car and the constant surprises that we are having every race. You never know which one is for pole or race win."

Monaco Grand Prix — Result (Provisional):

1. Webber Red Bull-Renault 1h46:06.557;

2. Rosberg Mercedes +0.643;

3. Alonso Ferrari +0.947;

4. Vettel Red Bull-Renault +1.343;

5. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes +4.101;

6. Massa Ferrari +6.195;

7. Di Resta Force India-Mercedes +41.500;

8. Hulkenberg Force India-Mercedes +42.500;

9. Raikkonen Lotus-Renault +44.000;

10. Senna Williams-Renault +44.500;

11. Perez Sauber-Ferrari +1 lap;

12. Vergne Toro Rosso-Ferrari +1 lap;

13. Kovalainen Caterham-Renault +1 lap;

14. Glock Marussia-Cosworth +1 lap;

15. Karthikeyan HRT-Cosworth +2 laps.

Not classified/retirements:

Button McLaren-Mercedes 71 laps;

Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari 66;

Pic Marussia-Cosworth 65;

Schumacher Mercedes 64;

Petrov Caterham-Renault 16;

Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 6;

De la Rosa HRT-Cosworth 1;

Maldonado Williams-Renault 1;

Grosjean Lotus-Renault 1.

World Championship standings (After 6 of 20 races):

Drivers:

1. Alonso 76;

2. Vettel 73;

3. Webber 73;

4. Hamilton 63;

5. Rosberg 59;

6. Raikkonen 51;

7. Button 45;

8. Grosjean 35;

9. Maldonado 29;

10. Perez 22;

11. Di Resta 21;

12. Kobayashi 19;

13. Senna 15;

14. Massa 10;

15. Hulkenberg 7;

16. Vergne 4;

17. Schumacher 2;

18. Ricciardo 2.

Constructors:

1. Red Bull-Renault 146;

2. McLaren-Mercedes 108;

3. Ferrari 86;

4. Lotus-Renault 86;

5. Mercedes 61;

6. Williams-Renault 44;

7. Sauber-Ferrari 41;

8. Force India-Mercedes 28;

9. Toro Rosso-Ferrari 6.

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Jim McGill

Photo: Getty Images