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The climax to the Formula 1 drivers' title could hardly be better set up after the triple championship challengers qualified together at the sharp end of the starting lineup 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 blistering 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 front row.

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

The Straightforward Maths for Norris

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

The 26 year old will be champion for the first occasion if he finishes on the podium, regardless of anyone else's result.

Verstappen, 28, could secure a fifth consecutive title if he takes victory with Norris in fourth, or if he is second and Norris is lower than seventh.

Australian Piastri, 24, needs some kind of misfortune to befall his competitors if he is to claim his maiden championship. He will also head into the race knowing that there is a chance he could be asked to move aside and help Norris win if his own hopes are over.

What Cards Will Verstappen Play?

Norris kept his answers after qualifying relatively short. He seems to be striving to keep himself composed and focused as he experiences the most intense weekend of his career.

This is logical. Although his path to the title is seemingly simple, the fact Verstappen's is not threatens to make the points leader's race an uncomfortable one.

With the title on the line, and taking race victory not sufficient on its own for Verstappen, the race is probably not going to be simple. The tactics Verstappen may employ to get in Norris' way remains unknown.

"I don't know," Norris said, when asked whether he expected Verstappen to try to slow him into the pack. "Anything is possible. So wait and see."

Verstappen faced the same question. His response was to note that it would be harder to execute now, as track modifications have made it more flowing.

"The track was configured differently," Verstappen stated. "I feel like now you get towed around a lot more. So it's not as easy to do that."

He added: "My goal is victory on Sunday, but I also know that that's not enough. So I just hope for some Yas Marina drama that happens behind me. We shall see what we get."

That comment about "drama at Yas Marina" evokes memories of a historic race where championship fate was completely reversed by strategy errors.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella, who was involved in that agonising race in 2010, has stressed to his team the strength of their season has been and that "setbacks are unavoidable".

As Verstappen summarised: "Many things can go well for you, can go against you, and we find out tomorrow."

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

Norris, in his favourable position, has the luxury of being able to be cautious 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 queried what he had discovered 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 pressure will build in the hours before the race.

Even Verstappen, who has appeared utterly relaxed so far, admitted 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 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... 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. 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 exclusive club of world champions."

The scene is prepared. The contenders are lined up. The Formula 1 world championship will be settled under the floodlights of Abu Dhabi.