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The finale to the Formula 1 drivers' title is perfectly poised after the triple championship challengers qualified together at the sharp end of the starting lineup for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

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

McLaren's Lando Norris, who enters the race as championship favourite 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 lead, will begin from third, alongside the Mercedes of George Russell on the second row.

The Straightforward Maths for The Leader

For Norris, the maths are simple – and the task looks the same.

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

Verstappen, 28, would clinch a fifth straight title if he wins the race with Norris finishing 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 competitors if he is to claim his first title. He will also head into the race aware that there is a possibility he could be asked to yield position and assist Norris win if his own chances have faded.

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. Even though his route to the championship is seemingly simple, the fact Verstappen's is not could render the points leader's race an uncomfortable one.

With the championship at stake, and taking race victory not sufficient on its own for Verstappen, the race is unlikely to be simple. What Verstappen and Red Bull might try to get in Norris' way is an open question.

"No idea," Norris said, when questioned if he expected Verstappen to try to slow him into the pack. "I expect everything. So we'll find out."

Verstappen faced the same question. His answer was to point out that such tactics are more difficult to execute now, as changes to the circuit have made it less stop-start.

"It was a different layout," Verstappen stated. "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 victory alone is insufficient. So I just hope for some Abu Dhabi magic that happens behind me. We shall see what we get."

That remark about "drama at Yas Marina" is clearly a reference to a past race where title destiny was completely reversed by strategy errors.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella, who experienced that painful race in 2010, has emphasised to his team the strength of their season has been and that "bumps on the road are inevitable".

As Verstappen put it: "A lot can work in your favour, can work against you, and we discover 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 advantage of being able to be cautious at the start.

Piastri, when questioned about excitement at Turn One, said: "I'm uncertain about the first corner," he said, "{but I'll have some popcorn ready."

He was also queried what he had discovered about title deciders. His answer was succinct: "Funny things can happen. That's what I've learned."

Norris 'Carries the Burden on His Shoulders'

For each contender, 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 help him perform.

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

"The way through 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... Once 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 might become world champion or not. You need sleep."

"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 title winners."

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