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The finale to the Formula 1 drivers' title is perfectly poised after the three title contenders qualified together at the front of the starting lineup for Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

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

The McLaren driver 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 colleague Oscar Piastri, 16 points behind the lead, starts third, with the Mercedes of George Russell on the row two.

The Straightforward Maths for The Leader

For Norris, the equation is clear – and the task looks the same.

The 26-year-old will be champion for the first occasion if he finishes on the podium, regardless of what his rivals achieve.

Verstappen, 28, could secure a fifth consecutive title if he wins the race with Norris in fourth, or if he is runner-up and Norris is lower than seventh.

Australian Piastri, 24, requires some form of drama to befall his rivals if he is to win his first title. He also approaches the race aware that there is a possibility he could be asked to yield position and assist Norris win if his own hopes are over.

What Cards Will The Challenger Play?

Norris was brief after qualifying relatively short. He seems to be striving to keep himself composed and focused as he navigates the biggest weekend of his career.

This is logical. Although his route to the championship is seemingly simple, the fact Verstappen's is not threatens to make the championship 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. What Verstappen and Red Bull might try to get in Norris' way remains unknown.

"I don't know," Norris said, when questioned if he anticipated Verstappen to try to back him into the pack. "Anything is possible. So wait and see."

Verstappen was asked the identical query. His response was to note that it would be harder to execute now, as changes to the circuit have made it more flowing.

"The track was configured differently," 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: "I want to win tomorrow, but I also know that that's not enough. So I just hope for some Abu Dhabi magic 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 title destiny was turned upside down by strategy errors.

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

As Verstappen summarised: "Many things can go well for you, can work against you, and we discover 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 favourable position, has the advantage of being able to be conservative at the start.

Piastri, when asked about action 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 learned about title showdowns. His answer 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 pressure will build in the hours before the race.

Even Verstappen, who has appeared utterly relaxed so far, confessed to some nerves before qualifying, but said that he used them to help him perform.

Commentator and former champion Damon Hill, speaking from experience, highlighted the importance 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 rattling around your head, 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. Rest is essential."

"The pressure is immense. 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 world champions."

The stage is set. The contenders are lined up. The Formula 1 world championship will be settled under the lights of Abu Dhabi.