McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain (centre) celebrates with McLaren team director Ron Dennis on the podium after winning the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix, at the Monaco circuit, in Monaco, yesterday. At left is Princess Caroline of Monaco. - AP

MONTE CARLO, Monaco (AP):

Lewis Hamilton never doubted that he'd win the Monaco Grand Prix. The McLaren driver just didn't envision having to survive such carnage to do so.

The 23-year-old Briton overcame a rain-soaked street circuit and an early accident for a victory that put him top of Formula One's championship race.

Hamilton, who finished runner-up to former McLaren teammate Fernando Alonso at his favourite track last year, was overjoyed after beating BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica by three seconds.

"I am absolutely over the moon. What a day, what a result," Hamilton said after a wild pit lane celebration that saw P. Diddy get a mouthful of champagne.

Rain doused the streets of the principality all morning and six cars would eventually retire as the race was shortened to 76 laps amid accidents from start to finish.

Hamilton, who moved up to second from third at the start, swiped the wall six laps in and nearly lost his rear tyre. A quick pit, taking on took on more fuel for a longer run, and a slip-up by pole-sitter Felipe Massa was enough for him on the slick street circuit.