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The finale to the Formula 1 drivers' title could hardly be better set up after the three title contenders secured positions at the sharp end of the grid for Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The Red Bull of Max Verstappen delivered a stunning display of the campaign – in his stellar career – to take a scintillating pole position.

The McLaren driver Lando Norris, who enters the race as title leader with a twelve-point advantage over Verstappen, is alongside the Dutchman on the front row.

The Briton's colleague Oscar Piastri, 16 points off the summit, will begin from third, alongside Mercedes' George Russell on the row two.

The Straightforward Maths for Norris

For Norris, the maths are simple – and the task looks the same.

The 26 year old will clinch the title for the first time if he finishes on the podium, irrespective of anyone else's result.

Verstappen, 28, would clinch a fifth straight title if he wins the race with Norris finishing fourth, or if he is second and Norris finishes outside seventh.

Australian Piastri, 24, requires some form of drama to happen to his rivals if he is to claim his maiden championship. He will also head into the race aware that there is a possibility he might be instructed to yield position and help Norris secure the title if his own hopes are over.

What Cards Will The Challenger Play?

Norris was brief after qualifying fairly concise. He appears working hard 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 could render 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 unlikely to be simple. What Verstappen and Red Bull might try to disrupt Norris's race remains unknown.

"No idea," 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 same question. His response was to point out that such tactics are more difficult to execute now, since changes to the circuit have made it more flowing.

"It was a different layout," Verstappen stated. "In my opinion 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 Yas Marina drama that happens behind me. So let's see what we get."

That remark about "drama at Yas Marina" is clearly a reference to a historic race where title destiny was completely reversed by pitwall miscalculations.

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

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

There is also the possibility of a collision at the first corner – a situation 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 questioned about action at Turn One, remarked: "I'm uncertain about the first corner," he said, "{but I'll have some handy."

He was also asked what he had learned about title deciders. His reply was succinct: "Unexpected events can happen. That's what I've learned."

Norris 'Carries the Burden on His Shoulders'

For all three, and their teams, the tension will mount in the hours before the race.

Even Verstappen, who has looked relaxation personified so far, confessed to some anxiety before qualifying, but said that he used them to help him perform.

Commentator and former champion Damon Hill, speaking from experience, highlighted the critical nature of calmness.

"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... Once you have things on your mind, 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 might become 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 made it and joined that elite group of title winners."

The stage is set. The protagonists are lined up. The F1 world championship will be decided under the lights of Abu Dhabi.