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

Red Bull's Max Verstappen put in one of the performances of the campaign – in his stellar career – to secure a scintillating pole position.

McLaren's Lando Norris, who heads into the race as title leader with a twelve-point lead over Verstappen, is next to the Dutch driver on the first row.

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

The Straightforward Equation 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 secures a top-three finish, irrespective of anyone else's result.

Verstappen, 28, could secure a fifth consecutive title if he takes victory with Norris in fourth, or if he is second and Norris finishes outside seventh.

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

What Cards Will Verstappen Play?

Norris kept his answers after qualifying fairly concise. He appears working hard to keep himself composed and focused as he navigates the biggest weekend of his career.

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

With the title on the line, 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 get in Norris' way remains unknown.

"No idea," Norris said, when questioned if he anticipated Verstappen to try to slow him into the pack. "I expect everything. So wait and see."

Verstappen was asked the same question. His answer was to point out that such tactics are more difficult to execute now, as track modifications have made it more flowing.

"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 added: "My goal is victory on Sunday, but I also know that that's not enough. So I just hope for some Yas Marina drama 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 pitwall miscalculations.

McLaren boss Andrea Stella, who experienced that painful race in 2010, has stressed to his team how strong their year has been and that "setbacks are inevitable".

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

There is also the potential of a collision at the first corner – a scenario Piastri and Verstappen were involved in there last year.

Norris, in his favourable position, has the luxury of being able to be cautious at the start.

Piastri, when asked about excitement 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 discovered about title showdowns. His answer was succinct: "Funny things can happen. That's what I've learnt."

Norris 'Carries the Burden 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 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 focus 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 can be 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 world champions."

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