SALOU, Spain: World champion Sebastien Ogier crashed out on the final stage of the Rally of Catalunya on Sunday to hand a first ever world rally championship victory to Norwegian teammate Andreas Mikkelsen.

Another Volkswagen driver, Finland’s Jari-Matti Latvala was second ahead of home favorite Dani Sordo in third.

Ogier, who sealed his third consecutive world title with three races to spare at the Rally of Australia last month, seemed set to seal his eighth victory of the season as he led Mikkelsen by 50 seconds heading into the 23rd stage.

However, the Frenchman ripped one of his tires when colliding with a security barrier which forced him to retire.

Mikkelsen finished 3.1 seconds ahead of Latvala with Sordo 21.2 seconds back.

The 26-year-old’s maiden victory comes in his 64th world rally having previously been on the podium 12 times.

Victory also ensures he will finish third in the championship standings.

Latvala’s podium finish mathematically secures his position in second behind Ogier for the second consecutive season.

Final standings from the Rally of Catalunya on Sunday, the 12th leg of the world rally championship:

1. Andreas Mikkelsen-Ola Floene (NOR/Volkswagen Polo-R) 3hr 21min 04.8sec, 2. Jari-Matti Latvala-Mikka Anttila (FIN/Volkswagen Polo-R) at 3.1sec, 3. Dani Sordo-Marc Marti (ESP/Hyundai i20) 21.2, 4. Mads Ostberg-Jonas Andersson (NOR-SWE/Citroen DS3) 1:06.3, 5. Kris Meeke-Paul Nagle (GBR-EIR/Citroën DS3) 1:08.2, 6. Hayden Paddon-John Kennard (NZL/Hyundai i20) 1:23.3, 7. Martin Prokop-Jan Tomanek (CZE/Ford Fiesta RS) 4:14.2, 8. Thierry Neuville-Nicolas Gilsoul (BEL/Hyundai i20) 8:01.9