Webber wins in Monaco.

Mark Webber led from lights to flag around the mean streets of Monaco to win the annual F3000 encounter in spite of two safety car periods and numerous yellow flags.

The Australian made the best of getaways to lead the field into Ste Devote, and pulled a large lead by the end of the first lap as, initially, Darren Manning tagged Justin Wilson at the opening corner and, then, the traditional Monaco traffic jam occurred at the Grand Hotel hairpin.

Wilson survived the opening lap tangle with Manning to chase Webber all the way to the flag, his cause helped mid-race by another safety car intervention for the stranded cars of Antonio Pizzonia and, ironically, the recovering Manning. He was unable to live with Webber's pace, however, and succumbed to a series of fastest laps which left the Australian untouched in the lead.

Stephane Sarrazin fended off countryman Sebastien Bourdais for the final podium position on his comeback to the series, while Ricardo Sperafico effectively endured three lonely races to take welcome points in fifth.

The final position in the top six was held by a both the Red Bull Jr cars with, initially, Ricardo Mauricio getting the better of team-mate Patrick Friesacher. When the Austrian finally got past, he was able to pull out a sizeable advantage, but threw it all away with a trip into the Ste Devote escape road. This left Mauricio back in the points, but having to fend off the attentions of Tomas Enge right to the flag.

Full report and results to follow shortly.....

Leading finishers - Monaco F3000.

1. Mark Webber Super Nova
2. Justin Wilson Nordic
3. Stephane Sarrazin Prost Jr
4. Sebastien Bourdais DAMS
5. Ricardo Sperafico Petrobras Jr
6. Ricardo Mauricio Red Bull Jr