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The finale to the Formula 1 drivers' title could hardly be better set up after the three title contenders qualified together at the front of the grid for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

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

McLaren's Lando Norris, who heads into the race as title leader with a 12-point advantage over Verstappen, is next to the Dutchman on the front row.

The Briton's colleague Oscar Piastri, 16 points off the lead, starts third, alongside Mercedes' George Russell on the second row.

The Simple Maths 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 secures a top-three finish, irrespective of what his rivals achieve.

Verstappen, 28, could secure 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, needs some form of drama to befall his competitors if he is to win his maiden championship. 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 Moves Will Verstappen Play?

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

That's understandable. Even though his route to the championship is relatively straightforward, the fact Verstappen's is not threatens to make the championship leader's race an difficult 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 disrupt Norris's race remains unknown.

"No idea," Norris said, when asked whether he expected 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 point out that it would be harder to execute now, as changes to the circuit have made it less stop-start.

"The track was configured differently," Verstappen stated. "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 happens behind me. So let's see what we get."

That comment about "Abu Dhabi magic" evokes memories of a historic race where title destiny was completely reversed by strategy errors.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella, who experienced that agonising race in 2010, has emphasised to his team how strong their season has been and that "setbacks are unavoidable".

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 a collision at the first corner – a situation 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 questioned about excitement at Turn One, remarked: "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: "Unexpected events can happen. That's what I've learned."

Norris 'Has a Weight on His Shoulders'

For each contender, and their teams, the tension 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 ex-title winner Damon Hill, speaking from experience, highlighted the critical nature of composure.

"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. 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 exclusive club of world champions."

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