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The finale to the Formula 1 world championship could hardly be better set up after the triple championship challengers qualified together at the sharp end of the grid for Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

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

McLaren's Lando Norris, who enters the race as title leader with a twelve-point lead over Verstappen, is alongside the Dutchman on the first row.

The Briton's colleague Oscar Piastri, 16 points behind the lead, starts third, with Mercedes' 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 clinch the title 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 runner-up and Norris is lower than seventh.

The Australian Piastri, 24, needs some kind of misfortune to befall his rivals if he is to win his maiden championship. He also approaches the race aware that there is a chance he might be instructed to yield position 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 seems to be striving to keep himself composed and focused as he experiences the most intense weekend of his career.

This is logical. Although his path to the title is relatively straightforward, the fact Verstappen's is not threatens to make the points 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 disrupt Norris's race remains unknown.

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

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

"It was a different layout," Verstappen said. "In my opinion now you receive a slipstream around a lot more. So it's not as easy to do that."

He continued: "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 unfolds behind me. So let's see what we get."

That comment about "Abu Dhabi magic" is clearly a reference to a historic race where title destiny was turned upside down by pitwall miscalculations.

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

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

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

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

Piastri, when asked about excitement at Turn One, said: "Turn One I'm not sure," he said, "{but I'll have some popcorn ready."

He was also queried what he had learned about title showdowns. His answer was succinct: "Unexpected events can happen. That's what I've learned."

Norris 'Carries the Burden on His Shoulders'

For each contender, and their teams, the pressure will mount in the hours before the race.

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

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

"The way through this is to just concentrate 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 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 can be world champion or not. You need sleep."

"It's intense. It's what you've always wanted. Lando has a weight on his shoulders... on Sunday he'll know whether he has crossed that threshold and joined that elite group of world champions."

The scene is set. The contenders are in position. The Formula 1 world championship will be settled under the lights of Abu Dhabi.