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The climax to the Formula 1 world championship could hardly be better set up after the three title contenders qualified together at the front of the grid for Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The Red Bull of Max Verstappen delivered one of the performances of the season – in his stellar career – to secure a scintillating pole position.

The McLaren driver Lando Norris, who enters the race as championship favourite with a twelve-point advantage over Verstappen, is next to the Dutch driver on the first row.

The British driver's team-mate Oscar Piastri, 16 points off the summit, starts third, alongside Mercedes' George Russell on the row two.

The Straightforward Maths for Norris

For Norris, the maths are simple – and the task looks the same.

The 26-year-old will clinch the title for the first occasion if he secures a top-three finish, irrespective of anyone else's result.

Verstappen, 28, would clinch a fifth consecutive title if he wins the race with Norris finishing fourth, or if he is second and Norris finishes outside seventh.

The Australian Piastri, 24, requires some form of drama to happen to his competitors if he is to claim his maiden championship. He also approaches the race aware that there is a chance he could be asked to yield position and help Norris secure the title if his own hopes are over.

What Moves Will The Challenger Play?

Norris was brief after qualifying relatively short. He seems to be striving to keep himself composed and focused as he experiences the most intense weekend of his career.

That's understandable. Even though his path to the title is relatively straightforward, the fact Verstappen's is not could render the championship leader's race an uncomfortable one.

With the title on the line, and winning the grand prix not good enough 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 remains unknown.

"I don't know," 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 response was to note that it would be harder to execute now, since track modifications have made it more flowing.

"The track was configured differently," Verstappen stated. "In my opinion now you get towed 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 unfolds behind me. We shall see what we get."

That remark about "drama at Yas Marina" is clearly a reference to a past race where title destiny was completely reversed by strategy errors.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella, who experienced that agonising race in 2010, has emphasised to his team the strength of their season has been and that "setbacks are inevitable".

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

There is also the potential of contact at the first corner – a scenario Piastri and Verstappen were involved in there last year.

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

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

He was also queried what he had learned about title showdowns. His reply was succinct: "Unexpected events can happen. That's what I've learned."

Norris 'Carries the Burden 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, admitted 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, highlighted the critical nature of calmness.

"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 rattling around your head, you can't concentrate."

"You know 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."

"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 world champions."

The scene is set. The protagonists are lined up. The F1 world championship will be decided under the floodlights of Abu Dhabi.