Defending drivers' world champion German Sebastian Vettel rode his considerable share of good luck on Sunday to claim his first victory at the Monaco Grand Prix after an incident-filled and dramatic race.

On an afternoon of safety cars, red flags, lengthy stoppages and multiple collisions, the 23-year-old leader of this year's title race emerged ahead of the field to enlarge his commanding lead as he steered his Red Bull car to an unexpected, and narrow, victory.

The race had been stopped temporarily after a mass crash which saw Russian driver Vitaly Petrov taken to hospital.

Vettel's victory, after claiming pole position in Monaco for the first time on Saturday, was the 15th of his career and his eighth in the last 10 races.

It stretched his golden run which has seen him finish on the podium at every race since the Singapore Grand Prix last year.

Two-times champion Spaniard Fernando Alonso finished second for Ferrari - their best result this season - ahead of luckless Briton Jenson Button of McLaren, who might have won but for the various safety car stops and other interventions.

Vettel won the long, chaotic and extraordinary race in a winning time of 2 hr 9 min 38.373 sec.

However, his victory was hardly an accomplished demonstration of his finest work and more memorable for his defensive driving on worn tyres before a late multiple collision delivered relief for him.

"You beauty," said Red Bull team boss Christian Horner to Vettel at the finish. "You have won the Monaco Grand Prix and that was a champion's drive."