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The finale to the Formula 1 world championship could hardly be better set up after the triple championship challengers qualified together at the front of the starting lineup for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

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

McLaren's Lando Norris, who enters 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 team-mate Oscar Piastri, sixteen points off the summit, starts third, alongside Mercedes' George Russell on the second row.

The Simple Equation for The Leader

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

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

Verstappen, 28, would clinch a fifth consecutive title if he takes victory with Norris finishing fourth, or if he is runner-up and Norris finishes outside seventh.

Australian Piastri, 24, needs some form of drama to happen to his rivals if he is to claim his maiden championship. He also approaches the race knowing that there is a chance he might be instructed to move aside and assist Norris win if his own chances have faded.

What Moves Will Verstappen Play?

Norris kept his answers after qualifying relatively short. He appears 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 relatively straightforward, the fact Verstappen's is not threatens to make the championship leader's race an uncomfortable one.

With the title on the line, and winning the grand prix not good enough on its own for Verstappen, the race is probably not going to be simple. What Verstappen and Red Bull might try to get in Norris' way remains unknown.

"No idea," Norris said, when asked whether he anticipated Verstappen to try to back him into the pack. "Anything is possible. So wait and see."

Verstappen was asked the same question. His answer was to point out that it would be harder to execute now, since track modifications have made it more flowing.

"It was a different layout," Verstappen stated. "I feel like now you get towed 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 unfolds 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 turned upside down by pitwall miscalculations.

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

As Verstappen summarised: "A lot 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 favourable position, has the luxury of being able to be conservative at the start.

Piastri, when questioned about excitement 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 showdowns. His answer was succinct: "Funny things can happen. That's what I've learned."

Norris 'Has a Weight on His Shoulders'

For all three, and their teams, the tension will build 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 enhance his performance.

Commentator and former champion Damon Hill, speaking from experience, emphasised the importance of calmness.

"The way through 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 rattling around your head, 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 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 elite group of world champions."

The stage is set. The contenders are in position. The F1 world championship will be settled under the floodlights of Abu Dhabi.