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The finale to the Formula 1 world championship is perfectly poised after the three title contenders qualified together at the front of the starting lineup for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The Red Bull of Max Verstappen delivered a stunning display of the season – and of his illustrious career – to take a scintillating pole position.

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

The British driver's colleague Oscar Piastri, sixteen points off the lead, starts third, alongside the Mercedes of George Russell on the row two.

The Simple Equation for The Leader

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

The 26 year old will be champion for the first occasion if he secures a top-three finish, regardless of what his rivals achieve.

Verstappen, 28, could secure a fifth straight title if he takes victory with Norris finishing fourth, or if he is runner-up and Norris is lower than seventh.

Australian Piastri, 24, needs some form of drama to befall his rivals if he is to win his maiden championship. He also approaches the race knowing that there is a possibility he might be instructed to move aside and assist Norris win if his own hopes are over.

What Moves Will Verstappen Play?

Norris was brief after qualifying relatively short. He appears working hard 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 points leader's race an difficult one.

With the championship at stake, and taking race victory not sufficient on its own for Verstappen, the race is probably not going to be simple. What Verstappen and Red Bull might try to get in Norris' way is an open question.

"No idea," Norris said, when questioned if he anticipated Verstappen to try to back him into the pack. "I expect everything. So wait and see."

Verstappen faced the same question. His answer was to note that such tactics are more difficult to execute now, as track modifications have made it less stop-start.

"It was a different layout," Verstappen stated. "I feel like now you get towed around a lot more. So it's not as easy to do that."

He added: "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 happens behind me. So let's see what we get."

That remark about "Abu Dhabi magic" evokes memories of a historic race where championship fate was completely reversed by strategy errors.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella, who experienced that agonising race in 2010, has stressed to his team how strong their season has been and that "setbacks are unavoidable".

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

There is also the potential of contact 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 cautious at the start.

Piastri, when questioned about excitement at Turn One, said: "Turn One I'm not sure," he said, "{but I'll have some popcorn ready."

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

Norris 'Has a Weight on His Shoulders'

For each contender, and their teams, the pressure will mount in the hours before the race.

Even Verstappen, who has looked relaxation personified so far, admitted to some nerves before qualifying, but said that he used them to help him perform.

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

"How to handle this is to just focus 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 rattling around your head, 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 might become 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 exclusive club of world champions."

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