Checo Pérez finishes third at Monaco Grand Prix

Defending Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton won the Monaco Grand Prix, holding off Daniel Ricciardo for his first win of the season.

Mexican driver Sergio Pérez of Force India was third ahead of Sebastian Vettel's Ferrari.

I’m extremely happy, because my team has done a tremendous job with the strategy, with the calls and the pitstops,” Pérez said to F1 Monaco.

“It’s been an amazing day for us. It’s my third podium with the team, so a very special one to have in Monaco, especially in these race conditions,” he added.

President Enrique Peña Nieto congratulated Pérez on Twitter for "a great race."

Hamilton had not won for the past eight races, but he pulled ahead after Ricciardo came in on lap 33 for ultra-soft tires only to have his Red Bull pit crew not ready. It cost him valuable time and he came out behind Hamilton.

Ricciardo was close to overtaking Hamilton on lap 37. But Hamilton held his line at the Mirabeau turn, prompting an angry reaction from Ricciardo, who waved his hand furiously as he was forced to back off.