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The finale to the Formula 1 world championship could hardly be better set up after the three title contenders qualified together at the sharp end of the starting lineup for Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

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

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

The Briton's colleague Oscar Piastri, sixteen points off the lead, will begin from third, with the Mercedes of George Russell on the second row.

The Simple Equation for Norris

For Norris, the maths are simple – his objective is straightforward.

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

Verstappen, 28, would clinch a fifth consecutive title if he wins the race with Norris finishing fourth, or if he is second and Norris is lower than seventh.

Australian Piastri, 24, needs some form of drama to befall his competitors if he is to win his maiden championship. He also approaches the race knowing that there is a chance he could be asked to yield position and assist Norris win if his own chances have faded.

What Moves Will The Challenger Play?

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

That's understandable. Even though his route to the championship is relatively straightforward, 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 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 slow him into the pack. "I expect everything. So we'll find out."

Verstappen faced the same question. His answer was to note that it would be harder 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 victory alone is insufficient. So I just hope for some Abu Dhabi magic that happens behind me. We shall see what we get."

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

McLaren boss Andrea Stella, who experienced that painful race in 2010, has stressed to his team how strong their season has been and that "setbacks are unavoidable".

As Verstappen put it: "Many things can work in your favour, can go against you, and we discover tomorrow."

There is also the potential of a collision at the opening turn – a situation 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 questioned about excitement 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 showdowns. His answer was succinct: "Unexpected events can happen. That's what I've learnt."

Norris 'Has a Weight on His Shoulders'

For all three, and their teams, the pressure will mount 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 former champion Damon Hill, offering from experience, emphasised the importance of calmness.

"How to handle this is to just concentrate 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 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 can be world champion or not. You need sleep."

"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 world champions."

The stage is prepared. The contenders are lined up. The F1 world championship will be settled under the floodlights of Abu Dhabi.