A beaming Daniel Ricciardo secured his maiden career pole position and a clear tactical advantage when he produced the fastest lap for Red Bull in an incident-packed qualifying session for the Monaco Grand Prix.

The 26-year-old Australian, driving with supreme aplomb, mastered the unforgiving barrier-lined Monte Carlo street circuit with a best lap of one minute and 13.622 seconds, a time he set using a set of super soft tyres, considered to be more durable and less adhesive than the ultra softs used by his rivals.

It was enough to beat both Mercedes drivers comprehensively, championship leader German Nico Rosberg winding up second, behind him by 0.291 seconds, and defending three-time champion Briton Lewis Hamilton third, after suffering more engine problems that restricted his running in Q3.

With his tyres, Ricciardo not only has the prime starting position on a track — where it is almost impossible to overtake — but he also has a chance to run a longer first stint than his main competitors.

"The plan was to go out on the ultra soft in the first run in Q2 and at least try and do a good enough lap with that," said the Perth-born driver.

"And then, we had the time on our side so we thought let's try and see what a super soft can do.

"We just feel maybe it opens up a few more options for the race tomorrow."

Daniel Ricciardo recorded the best lap in one minute and 13.622 seconds. ( Getty Images: Mark Thompson )

His team boss Christian Horner was delighted, too, on a day when the team's newly-promoted record-breaking Dutch teenager Max Verstappen, crashed into the barriers at the Swimming Pool complex.

The youngest race winner in the sport after his triumph in Spain two weeks ago, he will start from the back of the grid in Sunday's 78-lap race.

"I am sure he will do something special from there," said Horner, as Red Bull celebrated a first pole since the 2013 Brazilian Grand Prix and first in Monte Carlo for four years.

"It was an amazing performance. That first lap in Q3 was dynamic — to be in the 1:13's around here... Wow!"

Ricciardo became the 10th driver to claim a maiden pole at Monte Carlo, joining illustrious names like five-time champion Argentine Juan-Manuel Fangio and Australian Jack Brabham.

"It's a special place and I knew we'd have a shot at it here," said Ricciardo.

"It looked good from Thursday. I had it in my mind the whole time and, after Barcelona, I felt like I've been driving well — and not got the rewards.

"So I came into this weekend with a lot of confidence and a lot of belief that I could be in this position. I've always enjoyed this place, we've got a good package and it's nice to make the most of it."

AFP