Hamilton sets Monaco pace

His friend and rival Nico Rosberg, also running on the softer tyres, was second quickest in a Williams.

Ferrari8217;s world champion Kimi Raikkonen, seven points clear of Hamilton and his own Brazilian team mate Felipe Massa after five races, had set the pace in the morning with a time of 1:15.948. He was third in the afternoon.

Hamilton, wearing a specially-designed diamond-studded helmet was delighted with his day8217;s work.

8220;I simply love Monaco and enjoy every single moment I get to spend on the track,8221; he said. 8220;The car felt great almost immediately and I was able to show a good pace from the very beginning.8221;

Despite Ferrari having won four of the season8217;s five races to date, McLaren are strongly fancied to win on Sunday at a circuit that has favoured them more than any team in recent years. Hamilton8217;s Finnish team mate Heikki Kovalainen was third and then fifth.

Both sessions were interrupted by red flags, with the first halted for more than 15 minutes when a drain cover worked loose on the uphill slope from the Ste. Devote corner.

The later practice was stopped briefly when double world champion Fernando Alonso, winner with McLaren in Monaco last year and Renault in 2006, clouted the barriers.