McLaren's Lando Norris capitalized on a bit of good fortune to win the Miami Grand Prix on Sunday, holding off Red Bull's triple world champion Max Verstappen for his first Formula One victory.

Norris came into Miami having had a record 15 podium finishes without a win, along with eight of those second-place finishes.

Verstappen had seemed well placed to claim a fifth win in six races until a midway crash allowed McLaren to cash in on a safety car period, with Norris pitting and coming out with the lead.

Seeking a Miami hat-trick of wins, the Dutchman filled Norris' mirrors on the restart, but his Red Bull could offer no challenge as the McLaren pulled clear.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc completed the podium, coming home third ahead of teammate Carlos Sainz, who was later penalized five seconds for his involvement in a collision with McLaren's Oscar Piastri dropping the Spaniard to fifth.

The penalty moved Verstappen's Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez up one spot to fourth.

"About time! What a race. It's been a long time coming. Finally, I've managed to do it," Norris told Sky Sports. "I'm so happy for my whole team. I finally delivered for them.

"Long day, tough race. Finally on top, so I'm over the moon. I'm just proud. A lot of people doubted me along the way.

"I've made a lot of mistakes over my last five years in my short career, but today we put it all together."

In a season dominated by Red Bull, it was a hugely popular win for the 24-year-old Briton.

While he was all smiles after his victory, he was not going to miss the chance for a defiant reply to his critics.

"I am happy to put that to bed and prove a lot of these people wrong," he told his post-race press conference.

"I love it to go on Instagram, and like all the comments from people abusing me, I freaking love it, makes me smile more than anything, especially 'Lando NoWins', that's become the thing," he added.

"For me to prove those people wrong and prove (to) the people who didn't think I could go out and do it, it's going to be an even bigger smile on my face today, so I thank all of them," he said.

McLaren had been without a Grand Prix win since Monza in 2021 and team principal Andrea Stella said they had finally given Norris the chance to win.

"The victory for Lando, he deserved it so much and we always said as soon as we give him the right material, he's going to make it and he made it," said Stella.

"I know what kind of work is behind it, it's so deserved for the McLaren team, I hope everyone enjoys this moment."

Sauber's Chinese racer Zhou Guanyu finished 14th without gaining a point.

(With input from agencies)