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The finale to the Formula 1 world championship could hardly be better set up after the three title contenders qualified together at the sharp end of the starting lineup for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen delivered a stunning display of the campaign – in his stellar career – to secure a blistering pole position.

McLaren's Lando Norris, who heads into the race as title leader with a 12-point lead over Verstappen, is next to the Dutchman on the first row.

The British driver's team-mate Oscar Piastri, sixteen points behind the lead, starts third, alongside Mercedes' George Russell on the second row.

The Simple Maths for The Leader

For Norris, the equation is clear – and the task looks the same.

The 26-year-old will clinch the title for the first time if he finishes on the podium, irrespective of what his rivals achieve.

Verstappen, 28, could secure a fifth consecutive title if he takes victory with Norris finishing fourth, or if he is second and Norris finishes outside seventh.

Australian Piastri, 24, requires some kind of misfortune to befall his rivals if he is to claim his maiden championship. He also approaches the race aware that there is a chance he might be instructed to move aside and help Norris win if his own chances have faded.

What Moves Will Verstappen Play?

Norris kept his answers after qualifying fairly concise. He seems to be striving to keep himself settled and calm as he navigates the biggest weekend of his career.

That's understandable. Even though his route to the championship is seemingly simple, the fact Verstappen's is not threatens to make the championship leader's race an uncomfortable one.

With the title on the line, and taking race victory not sufficient on its own for Verstappen, the race is probably not going to be simple. The tactics Verstappen may employ to disrupt Norris's race remains unknown.

"I don't know," Norris said, when asked whether he expected Verstappen to try to slow him into the pack. "Anything is possible. So wait and see."

Verstappen faced the same question. His response was to note that it would be harder to execute now, since changes to the circuit have made it less stop-start.

"The track was configured differently," Verstappen stated. "In my opinion now you receive a slipstream around a lot more. So it's not as easy to do that."

He continued: "My goal is victory on Sunday, but I also know that victory alone is insufficient. So I just hope for some Yas Marina drama that unfolds behind me. So let's see what we get."

That remark about "Abu Dhabi magic" evokes memories of a past race where championship fate was turned upside down by strategy errors.

McLaren boss Andrea Stella, who was involved in that agonising race in 2010, has stressed to his team how strong their season has been and that "bumps on the road are inevitable".

As Verstappen summarised: "A lot can go well for you, can work against you, and we find out tomorrow."

There is also the possibility of a collision at the opening turn – a situation Piastri and Verstappen were involved in there last year.

Norris, in his position, has the luxury of being able to be conservative at the start.

Piastri, when questioned about excitement at Turn One, said: "I'm uncertain about the first corner," he said, "{but I'll have some handy."

He was also queried what he had discovered about title showdowns. His reply was succinct: "Funny things can happen. That's what I've learnt."

Norris 'Has a Weight on His Shoulders'

For all three, and their teams, the tension will mount in the hours before the race.

Even Verstappen, who has appeared utterly relaxed so far, confessed to some anxiety before qualifying, but said that he fed off them to help him perform.

Commentator and ex-title winner Damon Hill, speaking from experience, emphasised the importance of composure.

"How to handle this is to just concentrate on what you do for a living," Hill said. "You speak to the engineers and try to make the car go faster... Once you have things on your mind, you can't concentrate."

"It's like when you lie down in bed at night, there's that gap before you go to sleep? You try sleeping when you can be world champion or not. Rest is essential."

"It's intense. It's what you've always wanted. Lando has a weight on his shoulders... on Sunday he'll know whether he has made it and joined that elite group of world champions."

The scene is prepared. The protagonists are in position. The F1 world championship will be decided under the floodlights of Abu Dhabi.