• Monaco Grand Prix - Qualifying

Win would be a surprise - Rosberg

Nico Rosberg has taken three consecutive pole positions © Sutton Images

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• Race:
• Monaco Grand Prix

• Drivers:
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Nico Rosberg said securing pole position in Monaco could help Mercedes finally win in 2013 but says victory would be a surprise.

Having set the pace in all three free practice sessions Rosberg followed up with pole position ahead of team-mate Lewis Hamilton in Monte Carlo. It was his third consecutive pole position and with overtaking so difficult in Monaco, Rosberg admitted it could prove crucial to his chances in Sunday's race.

"It could have been a lot easier out there today, the conditions were all over the place," Rosberg said. "As soon as it started drizzling again the lap times became a lot slower on the inters so it was really difficult and changing so much. So you really have to be out there at the right time on the right tyres, especially in Q2 changing over to slicks, but I'm really happy.

"Everything went to plan and the last lap was OK so it's great to be on pole again, especially in Monaco. If it's at any track then it's this track where it makes a difference."

However, Rosberg was still cautious about Mercedes' tyre troubles and said it would have to class as a surprise if he can convert pole in to victory.

"I'm just very happy starting first. In Barcelona we were still struggling a lot in the race, I was 70 seconds behind the race winner by the end of the race. We're improving, it's difficult to understand the tyres and get the most out of it. We're improving step-by-step but there are still a lot of question marks remaining. Here I'm sure we've made a step forward but it's still going to be difficult for us tomorrow, definitely. It's still our weakness, but we can make the best of it and who knows you can always have a few surprises."

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