Lewis Hamilton took a superb victory in a close battle with Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo in a thrilling Monaco Grand Prix to re-ignite his title campaign.

Hamilton's first win this year cut his deficit to Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg, who finished seventh, to 24 points.

The world champion benefited from a slow pit stop for Ricciardo but also from his own brave call to delay a tyre change on a drying track until he could go straight to slick tyres.

He then had to defend from Ricciardo for 45 laps to win.

It was a masterclass of defensive driving that at times recalled McLaren's Ayrton Senna holding off the faster Williams of Nigel Mansell in the closing stages of this race in 1992, a battle that has gone down in Formula 1 folklore.

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Hamilton, who drives car number 44, claimed his 44th career win - and second in Monaco
How did Hamilton do it?

The race started behind the safety car on a soaking track and victory hinged on a decision, after discussion between driver and team, not to switch to 'intermediate' wet tyres, as a step between the full wets on which everyone had started the race and the untreaded slicks.

He was the only driver to do that and the decision ensured he moved into the lead after starting third behind Ricciardo and Rosberg.

Mercedes said the decision was a joint one between driver and pit wall.

When the race started on lap eight, Ricciardo quickly built a huge lead as Rosberg struggled in the difficult conditions, for which Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff said was due to not being able to generate the correct tyre temperature.

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The Briton has waited eight years between his first and second Monaco wins
On lap 16, by which time Ricciardo was 13.1 seconds in front, Mercedes ordered the German to let Hamilton by, realising that otherwise the race would be lost, and the Briton quickly pulled away at more than two seconds a lap.

Hamilton thanks 'gentleman' Rosberg for letting him past

Ricciardo 'screwed' by Red Bull mistake

Listen to Lewis Hamilton winning the Monaco GP

"I'm kind of lost for words," said Hamilton. "I prayed for a day like this and it came through, so I feel truly blessed.

"That was the longest run. It was crazy how long it was, to understand how much wheel spin you were allowed, because you don't know how long the tyres are going to go.

"Daniel drove phenomenally all weekend and it was a lot of pressure. I'm sure he's not too happy but he should proud of the way he drove."