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The climax to the Formula 1 drivers' title could hardly be better set up after the triple championship challengers secured positions at the front of the grid for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

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

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

The British driver's colleague Oscar Piastri, 16 points behind the summit, will begin from third, with the Mercedes of George Russell on the second row.

The Simple Equation for Norris

For Norris, the maths are simple – his objective is straightforward.

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 consecutive title if he wins the race with Norris finishing fourth, or if he is runner-up and Norris is lower than seventh.

The Australian Piastri, 24, requires some form of drama to happen to his rivals if he is to claim his first title. He also approaches the race aware that there is a chance he could be asked 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 seems to be working hard to keep himself composed and focused as he navigates the most intense weekend of his career.

That's understandable. Even though his path to the title is relatively straightforward, the fact Verstappen's is not could render the points leader's race an difficult one.

With the title on the line, and winning the grand prix not sufficient on its own for Verstappen, the race is probably not going to be simple. The tactics Verstappen may employ to get in Norris' way is an open question.

"No idea," Norris said, when asked whether he anticipated Verstappen to try to back him into the pack. "Anything is possible. So wait and see."

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

"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 that's not enough. So I just hope for some Abu Dhabi magic that happens behind me. So let's see what we get."

That remark about "drama at Yas Marina" evokes memories of a past race where championship fate was completely reversed by pitwall miscalculations.

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

As Verstappen summarised: "Many things can go well for you, can go against you, and we find out tomorrow."

There is also the possibility 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, remarked: "Turn One I'm not sure," he said, "{but I'll have some handy."

He was also asked what he had learned 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 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, highlighted the critical nature 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."

"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 might become world champion or not. You need sleep."

"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 stage is set. The protagonists are in position. The F1 world championship will be decided under the lights of Abu Dhabi.