World champion Lewis Hamilton ended his 6-month wait for a win on Sunday when he secured an unexpected and skilful victory for Mercedes in an incident-filled Monaco Grand Prix.

Taking full advantage of a bungled pit stop for his nearest rival, Australian Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull, Hamilton drove supremely in mixed conditions to seize his first triumph in nine races since clinching his third title at the 2015 United States Grand Prix in October.

Ricciardo, who started from his maiden pole position, led until he pitted for slick tires - that were not ready for him - after 32 laps and finally came home second. Mexican Sergio Perez finished third, 6.5 seconds behind a disconsolate Ricciardo, but ahead of four-time champion Sebastian Vettel of Germany (Ferrari) and two-time champion Fernando Alonso of Spain, who finished a superb fifth for McLaren on the 50th anniversary of their Formula One debut race in 1966.