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

The Red Bull of Max Verstappen delivered one of the performances of the campaign – in his stellar career – to take a blistering pole position.

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

The Briton's team-mate Oscar Piastri, sixteen points off the summit, starts third, with Mercedes' George Russell on the second row.

The Simple Equation for Norris

For Norris, the equation is clear – his objective is straightforward.

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

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

The Australian Piastri, 24, needs some form of drama to happen to his rivals if he is to claim his maiden championship. He also approaches the race knowing that there is a chance he could be asked to move aside and assist Norris secure the title if his own chances have faded.

What Moves Will The Challenger 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 relatively straightforward, the fact Verstappen's is not threatens to make the points leader's race an uncomfortable one.

With the title on the line, and winning the grand prix 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 questioned if he expected Verstappen to try to back him into the pack. "Anything is possible. So wait and see."

Verstappen was asked the identical query. His response 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 said. "I feel like 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 that's not enough. So I just hope for some Abu Dhabi magic that unfolds behind me. We shall see what we get."

That remark about "Abu Dhabi magic" is clearly a reference to a past race where title destiny was turned upside down by strategy errors.

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

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

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

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

Piastri, when asked about action at Turn One, said: "I'm uncertain about the first corner," he said, "{but I'll have some popcorn ready."

He was also queried what he had learned about title deciders. 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 build 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 used 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 focus 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."

"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. 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 stage is prepared. The contenders are lined up. The Formula 1 world championship will be decided under the lights of Abu Dhabi.