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The climax to the F1 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.

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

The McLaren driver Lando Norris, who heads into the race as title leader with a twelve-point lead over Verstappen, is alongside the Dutch driver on the first row.

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

The Straightforward Maths for The Leader

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

The 26-year-old will clinch the title for the first occasion if he finishes on the podium, irrespective of what his rivals achieve.

Verstappen, 28, could secure a fifth consecutive title if he takes victory with Norris finishing fourth, or if he is second and Norris is lower than seventh.

The Australian Piastri, 24, needs some kind of misfortune to happen to his rivals if he is to win his maiden championship. He will also head into the race aware that there is a chance he could be asked to move aside and assist Norris win if his own hopes are over.

What Cards Will Verstappen Play?

Norris was brief 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 route to the championship is seemingly simple, the fact Verstappen's is not threatens to make the championship leader's race an difficult 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 get in Norris' way is an open question.

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

Verstappen was asked the same question. His response was to note that such tactics are more difficult to execute now, as changes to the circuit have made it more flowing.

"The track was configured differently," Verstappen stated. "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 Yas Marina drama that happens behind me. We shall see what we get."

That comment about "drama at Yas Marina" is clearly a reference to a historic race where title destiny was turned upside down by pitwall miscalculations.

McLaren boss Andrea Stella, who experienced that painful 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 work against you, and we find out 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 advantage of being able to be conservative at the start.

Piastri, when asked about action at Turn One, remarked: "Turn One I'm not sure," 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 each contender, and their teams, the tension will mount in the hours before the race.

Even Verstappen, who has appeared utterly relaxed so far, confessed to some nerves before qualifying, but said that he used them to enhance his performance.

Commentator and ex-title winner Damon Hill, offering from experience, emphasised the critical nature of composure.

"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... 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 moment before you go to sleep? You try sleeping when you might become 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 made it and joined that exclusive club of world champions."

The scene is set. The protagonists are lined up. The Formula 1 world championship will be settled under the lights of Abu Dhabi.