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The finale to the Formula 1 drivers' title is perfectly poised after the three title contenders secured positions at the front of the grid for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The Red Bull of Max Verstappen put in a stunning display of the campaign – and of his illustrious career – to take a blistering pole position.

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

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

The Straightforward Equation for Norris

For Norris, the equation is clear – and the task looks the same.

The 26 year old will clinch the title 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 takes victory with Norris finishing fourth, or if he is runner-up and Norris finishes outside seventh.

Australian Piastri, 24, needs some form of drama to happen to his rivals if he is to win his first title. He also approaches the race aware that there is a possibility he might be instructed to move aside and assist Norris win if his own hopes are over.

What Cards Will Verstappen Play?

Norris was brief after qualifying fairly concise. He appears striving to keep himself composed and focused 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 championship 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 unlikely to be simple. What Verstappen and Red Bull might try to get in Norris' way is an open question.

"No idea," Norris said, when questioned if he anticipated Verstappen to try to back him into the pack. "Anything is possible. So we'll find out."

Verstappen was asked the identical query. His response was to point out that such tactics are more difficult to execute now, as track modifications have made it less stop-start.

"It was a different layout," Verstappen stated. "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 remark about "drama at Yas Marina" evokes memories of a historic race where title destiny was turned upside down by strategy errors.

McLaren boss Andrea Stella, who was involved in that painful race in 2010, has stressed to his team the strength of their season has been and that "bumps on the road are unavoidable".

As Verstappen summarised: "Many things can go well for you, can work against you, and we find out 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 conservative 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 popcorn ready."

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

Norris 'Has a Weight on His Shoulders'

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

Even Verstappen, who has looked relaxation personified 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, emphasised the critical nature 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 moment 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 has a weight on his shoulders... on Sunday he'll know whether he has crossed that threshold and joined that exclusive club of title winners."

The stage is set. The contenders are in position. The Formula 1 world championship will be decided under the floodlights of Abu Dhabi.