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The finale to the Formula 1 drivers' title could hardly be better set up after the three title contenders secured positions at the sharp end of the grid for Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

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

McLaren's Lando Norris, who enters the race as title leader with a 12-point lead over Verstappen, is next to the Dutchman on the first row.

The British driver's colleague Oscar Piastri, 16 points off the summit, starts third, alongside the Mercedes of George Russell on the second row.

The Simple Maths for The Leader

For Norris, the maths are simple – 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 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 finishes outside seventh.

The Australian Piastri, 24, needs some kind of misfortune to happen to his competitors if he is to win his maiden championship. He also approaches the race knowing that there is a chance he might be instructed to move aside and assist Norris secure the title if his own chances have faded.

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 experiences the biggest weekend of his career.

That's understandable. Although his path to the title is relatively straightforward, the fact Verstappen's is not could render the championship leader's race an uncomfortable 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 disrupt Norris's race remains unknown.

"No idea," Norris said, when questioned if he anticipated Verstappen to try to slow him into the pack. "I expect everything. So wait and see."

Verstappen faced the identical query. His answer was to point out that such tactics are more difficult to execute now, since changes to the circuit have made it more flowing.

"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 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 unfolds behind me. We shall see what we get."

That comment about "drama at Yas Marina" is clearly a reference to a historic race where title destiny was turned upside down by pitwall miscalculations.

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

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

There is also the possibility of a collision at the first corner – a situation Piastri and Verstappen were involved in there last year.

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

Piastri, when asked about excitement at Turn One, said: "I'm uncertain about the first corner," he said, "{but I'll have some popcorn ready."

He was also queried what he had discovered about title showdowns. 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 tension 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 former champion Damon Hill, speaking from experience, emphasised the importance 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."

"The pressure is immense. It's what you've always wanted. Lando carries a burden 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 protagonists are in position. The F1 world championship will be decided under the lights of Abu Dhabi.