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The climax to the F1 drivers' title could hardly be better set up after the triple championship challengers qualified together at the sharp end of the grid for Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

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

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

The Briton's colleague Oscar Piastri, sixteen points behind the lead, starts third, alongside Mercedes' George Russell on the second row.

The Straightforward Equation for The Leader

For Norris, the equation is clear – 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 what his rivals achieve.

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

The Australian Piastri, 24, requires 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 chance he might be instructed to yield position and assist Norris secure the title if his own hopes are over.

What Moves Will The Challenger Play?

Norris kept his answers after qualifying relatively short. He appears working hard to keep himself settled and calm as he navigates the biggest weekend of his career.

This is logical. Although his route to the championship is relatively straightforward, the fact Verstappen's is not could render the championship leader's race an uncomfortable one.

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

"No idea," Norris said, when questioned if he anticipated Verstappen to try to back him into the pack. "Anything is possible. So we'll find out."

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

"It was a different layout," Verstappen said. "In my opinion now you get towed around a lot more. So it's not as easy to do that."

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

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

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella, who was involved in that painful race in 2010, has emphasised to his team how strong their season has been and that "bumps on the road are inevitable".

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

There is also the possibility of a collision at the opening turn – a scenario Piastri and Verstappen experienced there last year.

Norris, in his favourable position, has the advantage 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 handy."

He was also queried 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, admitted to some nerves before qualifying, but said that he used them to enhance his performance.

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

"The way through this is to just concentrate 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 moment 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 carries a burden on his shoulders... on Sunday he'll know whether he has crossed that threshold and joined that elite group of title winners."

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