Dan Carter among many stars out in force at Monaco Grand Prix

One Direction singer Louis Tomlinson, Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick, and former All Black first five Dan Carter share a photo at the Monaco Grand Prix. Photo / Getty Images

There are few places on earth where the worlds of sport and celebrity converge more than in Monte Carlo ahead of this weekend's prestigious Grand Prix.

Where else could you find New Zealand rugby legend Dan Carter sharing a conversation with Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick and One Direction boy band star Louis Tomlinson?

The trio, who were accompanied by Tomlinson's girlfriend Danielle Campbell, posed for pictures together outside of Red Bull's garage before Daniel Ricciardo recorded the fastest lap in final qualifying to claim the first pole of his career.

Among other stars of sport and screen to make an appearance were Wales scrum-half Mike Phillips, Hollywood actor Patrick Dempsey and singer Heather Smalls.

Premier League winning manager Claudio Ranieri was also seen outside of the McLaren garage speaking to Daimler CEO Dr Dieter Zetsche and IOC President Thomas Bach.

While Ricciardo raced to pole position, his Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen was less fortunate. The rookie driver, who won the Spanish Grand Prix on his debut in the last race, crashed out of qualifying in Q2 but escaped injury after careering into a wall.

Reigning champion Lewis Hamilton suffered engine failure ahead of Q3 but returned to the track to finish second behind Mercedes team-mate and Drivers' Championship leader Nico Rosberg.

Rosberg is aiming for a fourth consecutive win in arguably the sport's showpiece event on Sunday.