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The finale to the F1 drivers' title could hardly be better set up after the three title contenders qualified together at the front of the grid for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The Red Bull of Max Verstappen put in a stunning display of the season – and of his illustrious career – to secure a blistering pole position.

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

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

The Straightforward Equation 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, regardless of what his rivals achieve.

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

The Australian Piastri, 24, needs some kind of misfortune to happen to his competitors if he is to win his first title. He also approaches the race knowing that there is a possibility he might be instructed to yield position and help Norris win if his own hopes are over.

What Moves Will Verstappen Play?

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

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

With the championship at stake, 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.

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

Verstappen was asked the identical query. His answer was to point out that such tactics are more difficult 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: "My goal is victory on Sunday, but I also know that that's not enough. So I just hope for some Yas Marina drama that happens behind me. We shall see what we get."

That remark about "Abu Dhabi magic" is clearly a reference to a historic race where title destiny was completely reversed by strategy errors.

McLaren boss Andrea Stella, who experienced that painful race in 2010, has emphasised to his team the strength of their year has been and that "bumps on the road are unavoidable".

As Verstappen put it: "Many things can go well for you, can work against you, and we discover tomorrow."

There is also the possibility of contact at the first corner – 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 asked about excitement at Turn One, remarked: "I'm uncertain about the first corner," he said, "{but I'll have some popcorn ready."

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

Norris 'Has a Weight on His Shoulders'

For each contender, and their teams, the tension will build in the hours before the race.

Even Verstappen, who has looked relaxation personified so far, confessed to some anxiety before qualifying, but said that he used them to enhance his performance.

Commentator and former champion Damon Hill, speaking from experience, highlighted the critical nature of composure.

"The way through 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... When you have things on your mind, 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 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 crossed that threshold and joined that exclusive club of world champions."

The stage is set. The contenders are in position. The F1 world championship will be decided under the lights of Abu Dhabi.