Lee Holdsworth has earned a sensational first V8 Supercars victory for Mercedes at Winton.

After overcoming Fabian Coulthard with a daring late pass, Holdsworth’s E63 AMG beat a fast finishing Mark Winterbottom for an historic victory for the manufacturer.

Erebus Motorsport team owner Betty Klimenko led emotional scenes after the race, almost speechless as she gave interviews.

Holdsworth also broke a four-year personal drought with the win.

He teared up recalling a difficult week – his wife encountering a home invader on Wednesday night.

“It’s been such a hard 12 months and what’s gone on during the week hasn’t helped,” he said.

“I’m so proud of my boys at Erebus.”

Coulthard earned a race one victory by leading from start to finish over Shane Van Gisbergen but gave up the lead in the opening lap of the second to Scott McLaughlin.

But hopes of that pair achieving an all-New Zealand one-two were dashed when McLaughlin was forced to pit his Volvo from the lead on lap nine with engine trouble.

The 20-year-old was visibly upset as he sat in the motionless car, eventually rejoining the field without sight of the lead, three laps adrift.

That left Coulthard leading Holdsworth in a two-way race.

Holdsworth’s pace eventually wore Coulthard down, and he got by the Aucklander with just three laps to go.

The result throws the championship wide open, with Coulthard just a good Sunday result from the lead.

Red Bull’s Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes endured a rough ride after qualifying well back and could only recover a few places on the grid.