PREVIEW-Hansen Q3 profit to top Street view on Monster growth

* What: Hansen Natural Q3 results

* When: Thursday, after market close

* Q3 profit likely to top analysts' estimates

* Monster beverage sales to drive results

By Mihir Dalal and Nivedita Bhattacharjee

BANGALORE, Nov 4 (Reuters) - Even as Monster-logoed Jenson Button edged out Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel to win the Formula 1 auto racing championship, US sales of Hansen Natural Corp's (HANS.O: Quote, Profile, Research) energy drink are pulling ahead of its Austrian rival.

With third-quarter results due Nov 5, Hansen is likely to post earnings above market expectations, boosted by market share gains for its Monster drink in a growing U.S. energy drinks market.

"Monster has a better brand proposition to the right demographics and a good marketing strategy," Canaccord Adams analyst Scott Van Winkle said.

Last week, on a conference call with analysts, Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc (CCE.N: Quote, Profile, Research) said Hansen's Monster Energy drink had accelerated its market share gains in the United States over the last couple of months.