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The climax to the F1 drivers' title could hardly be better set up after the three title contenders qualified together at the front of the grid for Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

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

McLaren's Lando Norris, who heads into the race as championship favourite with a 12-point advantage over Verstappen, is alongside the Dutch driver on the first row.

The British driver's team-mate Oscar Piastri, 16 points off the lead, starts third, with the Mercedes of George Russell on the row two.

The Straightforward Equation for Norris

For Norris, the equation is clear – his objective is straightforward.

The 26 year old will be champion for the first occasion if he finishes on the podium, irrespective of anyone else's result.

Verstappen, 28, would clinch a fifth consecutive 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, requires some form of drama to happen to his competitors if he is to claim his maiden championship. He will also head into the race aware that there is a chance he could be asked to yield position and help Norris secure the title if his own chances have faded.

What Moves Will The Challenger Play?

Norris kept his answers after qualifying relatively short. He appears working hard to keep himself composed and focused as he navigates the most intense weekend of his career.

That's understandable. Although his path to the title is seemingly simple, the fact Verstappen's is not threatens to make the points leader's race an difficult one.

With the championship at stake, and winning the grand prix 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.

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

Verstappen was asked the identical query. His response was to note that it would be harder to execute now, since track modifications have made it less stop-start.

"The track was configured differently," Verstappen stated. "In my opinion 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 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 past race where championship fate was completely reversed by strategy errors.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Norris 'Has a Weight on His Shoulders'

For each contender, 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 ex-title winner Damon Hill, speaking from experience, highlighted the critical nature of calmness.

"The way through 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... When you have things on your mind, you can't concentrate."

"It's like 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 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 decided under the floodlights of Abu Dhabi.