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The climax to the F1 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 put in one of the performances of the campaign – and of his illustrious career – to take a scintillating pole position.

The McLaren driver Lando Norris, who heads into the race as championship favourite with a 12-point lead over Verstappen, is alongside the Dutchman on the first row.

The Briton's team-mate Oscar Piastri, 16 points behind the summit, will begin from third, alongside the Mercedes of George Russell on the second row.

The Simple Maths for Norris

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 secures a top-three finish, regardless of anyone else's result.

Verstappen, 28, could secure a fifth consecutive title if he wins the race with Norris in fourth, or if he is runner-up and Norris finishes outside seventh.

The Australian Piastri, 24, requires some form of drama to befall his rivals if he is to win his maiden championship. He will also head into the race knowing that there is a possibility he could be asked to yield position and help Norris win if his own chances have faded.

What Cards Will The Challenger Play?

Norris kept his answers after qualifying fairly concise. He appears working hard to keep himself settled and calm as he experiences the biggest weekend of his career.

That's understandable. Even though his path to the title is relatively straightforward, 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 get in Norris' way remains unknown.

"No idea," Norris said, when questioned if he anticipated Verstappen to try to slow him into the pack. "Anything is possible. So we'll find out."

Verstappen faced the same question. His answer was to point out that it would be harder to execute now, as track modifications have made it more flowing.

"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: "I want to win tomorrow, but I also know that victory alone is insufficient. So I just hope for some Yas Marina drama that happens behind me. So let's see what we get."

That comment about "Abu Dhabi magic" evokes memories of a past race where title destiny was completely reversed by strategy errors.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella, who experienced that painful race in 2010, has stressed to his team how strong their season has been and that "bumps on the road are unavoidable".

As Verstappen put it: "A lot can work in your favour, can go against you, and we find out tomorrow."

There is also the possibility of a collision at the opening turn – a scenario Piastri and Verstappen experienced there last year.

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

Piastri, when questioned about action at Turn One, remarked: "Turn One I'm not sure," he said, "{but I'll have some handy."

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

Norris 'Carries the Burden on His Shoulders'

For each contender, and their teams, the pressure 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 enhance his performance.

Commentator and former champion Damon Hill, offering from experience, emphasised the critical nature of composure.

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

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

"The pressure is immense. It's what you've always wanted. Lando has a weight on his shoulders... on Sunday he'll know whether he has crossed that threshold and joined that elite group of title winners."

The stage is set. The protagonists are lined up. The F1 world championship will be settled under the lights of Abu Dhabi.