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

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

The McLaren driver 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 Briton's team-mate Oscar Piastri, 16 points behind the summit, will begin from third, with Mercedes' George Russell on the second row.

The Simple Equation for The Leader

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

The 26 year old will be champion for the first occasion if he secures a top-three finish, regardless of what his rivals achieve.

Verstappen, 28, could secure a fifth consecutive title if he takes victory with Norris in fourth, or if he is second and Norris is lower than seventh.

Australian Piastri, 24, needs some form of drama to befall his rivals if he is to claim 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 kept his answers after qualifying fairly concise. He seems to be working hard to keep himself composed and focused as he navigates the biggest weekend of his career.

This is logical. Although his route to the championship is seemingly simple, the fact Verstappen's is not could render the points leader's race an difficult one.

With the championship at stake, and winning the grand prix not good enough on its own for Verstappen, the race is unlikely to be simple. The tactics Verstappen may employ to disrupt Norris's race is an open question.

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

Verstappen faced the identical query. His response was to point out that it would be harder to execute now, since track modifications have made it more flowing.

"The track was configured differently," Verstappen stated. "In my opinion now you get towed around a lot more. So it's not as easy to do that."

He continued: "I want to win tomorrow, but I also know that that's not enough. So I just hope for some Yas Marina drama that happens behind me. We shall see what we get."

That comment about "Abu Dhabi magic" evokes memories of a historic race where championship fate was turned upside down by pitwall miscalculations.

McLaren boss Andrea Stella, who experienced that painful race in 2010, has stressed to his team the strength of their year has been and that "setbacks are inevitable".

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

There is also the potential of contact at the first corner – a scenario Piastri and Verstappen experienced there last year.

Norris, in his position, has the advantage of being able to be conservative 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 asked what he had learned about title deciders. His reply was succinct: "Unexpected events can happen. That's what I've learnt."

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, confessed to some anxiety before qualifying, but said that he used them to help him perform.

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

"The way through 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... 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 moment 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 made it and joined that elite group of world champions."

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