At long last, Lando Norris is a Formula 1 race winner. The 23-year-old Britain capitalized on a well-timed Safety Car period to vault into the lead and then held off Max Verstappen over the closing laps to claim his first career F1 victory at the Miami Grand Prix.

Norris started sixth but a collision between Logan Sargeant and Kevin Magnussen on lap 28 brought out the Safety Car. As the leaders pitted, Norris stayed out and cycled into the lead when the race went back to green. He got a great restart and was able to fend off an initial charge from Verstappen’s Red Bull.

From there, Norris gradually pulled away, crossing the line 7.6 seconds ahead of the three-time defending champion to finally break through and become the 110th driver to win a Formula 1 race.

“About time, huh? What a race, it’s been a long time coming and finally I’ve managed to do it,” an elated Norris said after the race. “I’m so happy for my whole team, I’ve finally delivered for them.”

Norris had entered the Miami race holding the record for most podium finishes (15) without a victory. But that streak finally came to an end on Sunday as he dominated the second half of the Grand Prix in his McLaren.

Verstappen had to settle for second place on a difficult day when he couldn’t pull away from the field as usual. “You win, you lose, we’re all used to that in racing,” the Dutchman said. “If a bad day is second, then I take it. I’m very happy for Lando, it’s been a long time coming. This isn’t going to be his last one, he deserves it definitely.”

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz finished third and fourth, followed by Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez in fifth.

For Norris, it was a hugely popular breakthrough victory made even sweeter by the long road it took to get there. He was congratulated by numerous drivers on his way to the podium celebration.

“I’m just proud really, a lot of people doubted me along the way,” Norris said. “I made a lot of mistakes in my career but today we put it all together.”

With the victory, Norris jumps up to fifth in the drivers’ championship with 83 points, while Verstappen extends his lead to 35 points over Perez.