Daniel Ricciardo needs an improved lap but his Red Bull team-mate Daniil Kvyat has been going well so far. He has the fifth fastest time.

Image source, EPA

James Allen
BBC Radio 5 live commentator in Monaco

"It's hardly surprising they [Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg] are tense - given what's a stake."

Image source, Williams

Williams: Felipe heads out for his second run and final run of Q2.

Just under three minutes left and in trouble are Daniel Ricciardo, Jenson Button, Felipe Massa and Nico Hulkenberg.

Eddie Marlin: The jury is out for me on Monaco GP. I don't like going into any race knowing that the order of qualifying is how the race will end.

Max Baggins-Craig: Such a shame to see Alonso go out, did so well last time & this time in qualifying, hopefully better days will arrive.

Vicky Sanderson: The Toro Rosso drivers are proving that doing their homework pays off; really really impressed with them this weekend.

Lewis Hamilton: "Let's calm down and reset for this run. That was a really bad run. No gaps..."

Nico Rosberg's time is fastest than his pole-winning lap (1:15.989) in 2014.

Lewis Hamilton may be third fastest, but his best effort is exactly the same as Sebastian Vettel in P2, a 1:16.224. Hamilton, though was not happy with his latest effort...

David Coulthard
BBC F1 co-commentator

"Looking at the replay of Fernando Alonso's incident and it looks like a major electronic failure I would suggest."

Fine work from the marshals once again as they swiftly roll Fernando Alonso's McLaren off the circuit.

Image source, AP

Meanwhile, Mercedes have sent out Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton and the former is flying, putting down a 1:15.471 to go fastest. Hamilton slots in P3 with 1:16.224.

Image source, Formula 1

Sebastian Vettel puts the first time on the board with 1:18.721 but there is disaster for Fernando Alonso! He comes to a halt at Ste Devote. That's qualifying over for the Spaniard. There's smoke coming out of his McLaren.

David Coulthard
BBC F1 co-commentator

"Just to explain that Nico Rosberg message. That is to avoid the situation like last year, when they were fighting to get out on track. Both drivers have the choice to pick who is the first out in qualifying. Rather than doing it alternatively, they would pick the circuit they want to go out first on and this circuit has fallen to Lewis Hamilton to have that choice."

Nico Rosberg: "Lewis is slowing down in the pit lane - just keep that in mind with the gap between the two of us."

Image source, AFP

The timer starts ticking down from 15 minutes and Q2 is under way. Sebastian Vettel is the first to head out, with half the field swiftly joining him.

Only the Ferraris and the Mercedes avoided using the supersoft tyre in Q1. Everyone is out on them in this session.

Jeremiah Kariuki: This seems to be back to the Mercs on the pole! Ros topping Lewis and a good second over 3rd, Vettel.

Rob Heyes: Starting a Monaco GP drinking game. Shot every time the phrase "in the principality" is used this weekend.

Daniel Day: Well done McLaren both cars into Q2, is it possible that one of the cars get into Q3?

Fernando Alonso does just enough to squeeze into Q2, but it was much more comfortable for his McLaren team-mate Jenson Button, who was eighth fastest.

Mercedes once again top the timesheet but impressive stuff once again from the Toro Rossos, with Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz third and fifth fastest respectively. Evidently those 200 laps done in the simulator have been put to good use.

1) Nico Rosberg 2) Lewis Hamilton 3) Max Verstappen 4) Daniil Kvyatt 5) Carlos Sainz 6) Daniel Ricciardo 7) Sergio Perez 8) Jenson Button (pictured) 9) Sebastian Vettel 10) Nico Hukenberg

11) Pastor Maldonado 12) Kimi Raikkonen 13) Felipe Massa 14) Romain Grosjean 15) Fernando Alonso

Image source, EPA

16) Felipe Nasr 17) Valtteri Bottas 18) Marcus Ericsson 19) Will Stevens 20) Robert Merhi

Nico Rosberg finishes fastest in the first part of qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix.

Chequered flag comes out Felipe Nasr, Valtteri Bottas, Marcus Ericsson, Will Stevens and Roberto Merhi are the five in trouble. Fernando Alonso is 14th fastest, can anyone sneak a quick lap in and put the McLaren in trouble?

Carlos Sainz goes fourth fastest after his team-mate Max Verstappen jumped up to P3 but Sainz could be in a bit of bother for apparently failing to stop at the FIA weighbridge.

Meanwhile, Nico Hulkenberg, who earlier touched a barrier at Turn 5 and had to return to the pits, drops into the elimination zone, but is back out on the circuit and has the chance to sneak into Q2...