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The climax to the Formula 1 world championship 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.

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

McLaren's Lando Norris, who heads into the race as title leader with a twelve-point lead over Verstappen, is next to the Dutchman on the front row.

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

The Simple Maths for The Leader

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

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

Verstappen, 28, could secure a fifth consecutive title if he wins the race with Norris in 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 aware that there is a possibility he might be instructed to move aside and assist Norris win if his own hopes are over.

What Moves Will Verstappen Play?

Norris was brief after qualifying fairly concise. He seems to be working hard to keep himself settled and calm as he experiences the most intense weekend of his career.

That's understandable. Even though his route to the championship is relatively straightforward, the fact Verstappen's is not threatens to make the championship 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. The tactics Verstappen may employ to get in Norris' way is an open question.

"I don't know," Norris said, when questioned if he anticipated Verstappen to try to back him into the pack. "Anything is possible. So we'll find out."

Verstappen was asked the identical query. His response was to point out that such tactics are more difficult to execute now, as changes to the circuit have made it less stop-start.

"The track was configured differently," Verstappen said. "I feel like now you receive a slipstream 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 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 past race where championship fate was turned upside down by strategy errors.

McLaren team principal 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 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 opening turn – a scenario Piastri and Verstappen were involved in there last year.

Norris, in his position, has the advantage of being able to be cautious at the start.

Piastri, when asked about action at Turn One, remarked: "Turn One I'm not sure," he said, "{but I'll have some popcorn ready."

He was also queried what he had learned about title showdowns. His answer was succinct: "Unexpected events can happen. That's what I've learned."

Norris 'Has a Weight 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 nerves before qualifying, but said that he used them to enhance his performance.

Commentator and former champion Damon Hill, offering from experience, emphasised the critical nature of composure.

"The way through this is to just focus 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. Rest is essential."

"It's intense. 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 exclusive club of title winners."

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