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The climax to the F1 drivers' title could hardly be better set up after the triple championship challengers secured positions at the front of the starting lineup for Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen delivered one of the performances of the campaign – and of his illustrious career – to take a blistering pole position.

The McLaren driver Lando Norris, who enters the race as title leader with a 12-point lead over Verstappen, is alongside the Dutchman on the first row.

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

The Straightforward Equation for The Leader

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

The 26 year old will be champion for the first time if he secures a top-three finish, regardless of anyone else's result.

Verstappen, 28, could secure a fifth straight 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 kind of misfortune 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 could be asked to move aside and help Norris win if his own chances have faded.

What Moves Will Verstappen Play?

Norris kept his answers after qualifying relatively short. He seems to be working hard to keep himself composed and focused as he navigates 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 taking race victory not good enough on its own for Verstappen, the race is unlikely to be simple. The tactics Verstappen may employ to disrupt Norris's race remains unknown.

"I don't know," Norris said, when questioned if he anticipated Verstappen to try to slow him into the pack. "I expect everything. So wait and see."

Verstappen faced the identical query. His response was to note that it would be harder to execute now, as track modifications 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 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. 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 strategy errors.

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

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

There is also the potential of contact at the opening turn – a situation 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 handy."

He was also asked what he had learned about title showdowns. His reply was succinct: "Funny things can happen. That's what I've learnt."

Norris 'Carries the Burden on His Shoulders'

For each contender, and their teams, the tension will build 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 ex-title winner Damon Hill, offering 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 speak to the engineers and try to make the car go faster... Once you have things rattling around your head, 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 might become world champion or not. Rest is essential."

"The pressure is immense. 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 title winners."

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