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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 sharp end of the starting lineup for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen delivered a stunning display of the season – in his stellar career – to secure a blistering pole position.

McLaren's Lando Norris, who heads into the race as title leader with a 12-point advantage over Verstappen, is alongside the Dutchman on the front row.

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

The Straightforward Equation for Norris

For Norris, the equation is clear – and the task looks the same.

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 straight title if he takes victory 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 win his maiden championship. He will also head into the race knowing that there is a possibility he could be asked to move aside and assist Norris secure the title if his own chances have faded.

What Moves Will Verstappen Play?

Norris was brief after qualifying fairly concise. He seems to be striving to keep himself composed and focused as he experiences the biggest weekend of his career.

That's understandable. Although his path to the title is seemingly simple, the fact Verstappen's is not could render 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 unlikely to be simple. What Verstappen and Red Bull might try to disrupt Norris's race is an open question.

"I don't know," Norris said, when asked whether 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 answer was to point out that it would be harder to execute now, since track modifications have made it more flowing.

"The track was configured differently," Verstappen said. "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 Abu Dhabi magic 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 championship fate was turned upside down by strategy errors.

McLaren boss Andrea Stella, who experienced that painful race in 2010, has stressed 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 go against you, and we find out tomorrow."

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

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

Piastri, when questioned 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 discovered about title deciders. His reply 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 appeared utterly relaxed so far, admitted 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, highlighted the importance of composure.

"How to handle 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 gap before you go to sleep? You try sleeping when you can be 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 crossed that threshold and joined that elite group of title winners."

The scene is prepared. The protagonists are lined up. The F1 world championship will be settled under the lights of Abu Dhabi.