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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 front of the starting lineup for the 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 scintillating pole position.

The McLaren driver Lando Norris, who heads into the race as championship favourite with a twelve-point lead over Verstappen, is alongside the Dutchman on the first row.

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

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 finishes on the podium, regardless of anyone else's result.

Verstappen, 28, would clinch a fifth straight title if he takes victory 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 befall his rivals if he is to claim his first title. He also approaches the race aware that there is a chance he might be instructed to move aside and assist Norris secure the title if his own chances have faded.

What Cards Will The Challenger Play?

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

This is logical. Although his path to the title 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 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 remains unknown.

"No idea," Norris said, when asked whether he anticipated Verstappen to try to back him into the pack. "I expect everything. So we'll find out."

Verstappen faced the identical query. His response was to note that such tactics are more difficult to execute now, since changes to the circuit have made it more flowing.

"It was a different layout," Verstappen said. "I feel like now you get towed 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 victory alone is insufficient. So I just hope for some Abu Dhabi magic that happens 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 strategy errors.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella, who was involved in that painful race in 2010, has emphasised to his team how strong their year has been and that "setbacks are unavoidable".

As Verstappen put it: "A lot can work in your favour, can work against you, and we find out tomorrow."

There is also the possibility of contact at the first corner – a scenario Piastri and Verstappen experienced there last year.

Norris, in his favourable position, has the luxury 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 handy."

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

Norris 'Carries the Burden on His Shoulders'

For all three, and their teams, the pressure will mount in the hours before the race.

Even Verstappen, who has looked relaxation personified so far, admitted to some nerves before qualifying, but said that he fed off them to enhance his performance.

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

"How to handle 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... 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."

"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 made it and joined that elite group of title winners."

The scene is prepared. The protagonists are lined up. The F1 world championship will be decided under the floodlights of Abu Dhabi.