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The finale to the F1 world championship could hardly be better set up after the three title contenders qualified together at the sharp end of the grid for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

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

The McLaren driver Lando Norris, who heads into the race as championship favourite with a 12-point advantage over Verstappen, is next to the Dutch driver on the first row.

The British driver's team-mate Oscar Piastri, 16 points behind the summit, will begin from third, alongside Mercedes' George Russell on the row two.

The Simple Equation for The Leader

For Norris, the equation is clear – 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 what his rivals achieve.

Verstappen, 28, would clinch a fifth straight title if he wins the race with Norris in fourth, or if he is second and Norris is lower than seventh.

The Australian Piastri, 24, requires some form of drama to happen to his rivals if he is to claim his first title. He will also head into the race knowing that there is a chance he might be instructed to move aside and assist Norris win if his own hopes are over.

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.

This is logical. Even though his route to the championship is relatively straightforward, the fact Verstappen's is not could render the points 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. What Verstappen and Red Bull might try to get in Norris' way remains unknown.

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

Verstappen faced the identical query. His answer was to point out that such tactics are more difficult to execute now, since track modifications have made it less stop-start.

"The track was configured differently," Verstappen said. "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 victory alone is insufficient. So I just hope for some Yas Marina drama that unfolds behind me. We shall see what we get."

That comment about "drama at Yas Marina" is clearly a reference to a historic race where championship fate was turned upside down by pitwall miscalculations.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella, who was involved in that painful race in 2010, has emphasised 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 go against you, and we find out tomorrow."

There is also the possibility of a collision at the opening turn – a scenario 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 asked about action at Turn One, said: "Turn One I'm not sure," he said, "{but I'll have some popcorn ready."

He was also asked what he had learned about title showdowns. His reply 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, admitted to some anxiety before qualifying, but said that he fed off them to enhance his performance.

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

"How to handle 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 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. You need sleep."

"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 made it and joined that exclusive club of title winners."

The scene is prepared. The protagonists are in position. The Formula 1 world championship will be settled under the floodlights of Abu Dhabi.