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The finale to the F1 drivers' title is perfectly poised after the three title contenders qualified together at the sharp end of the starting lineup for the 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.

The McLaren driver Lando Norris, who heads into the race as title leader with a twelve-point advantage over Verstappen, is alongside the Dutchman on the front row.

The Briton's colleague Oscar Piastri, sixteen points behind the lead, will begin from third, alongside the Mercedes of George Russell on the row two.

The Simple Equation for The Leader

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 secures a top-three finish, regardless of anyone else's result.

Verstappen, 28, would clinch a fifth consecutive title if he wins the race with Norris in fourth, or if he is runner-up and Norris finishes outside seventh.

Australian Piastri, 24, requires some kind of misfortune to happen to his competitors if he is to win his first title. He will also head into the race knowing that there is a possibility he might be instructed to move aside and assist Norris win if his own chances have faded.

What Moves Will Verstappen Play?

Norris was brief after qualifying relatively short. He appears striving to keep himself settled and calm 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 threatens to make 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 disrupt Norris's race is an open question.

"I don't know," 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 note that it would be harder to execute now, since changes to the circuit 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 that's not enough. So I just hope for some Abu Dhabi magic that unfolds behind me. So let's see what we get."

That remark about "drama at Yas Marina" evokes memories of a past race where title destiny was turned upside down by pitwall miscalculations.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella, who experienced that agonising race in 2010, has stressed to his team how strong their season has been and that "bumps on the road 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 potential of a collision 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 cautious 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 handy."

He was also queried what he had learned about title deciders. His answer 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 mount 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 ex-title winner Damon Hill, offering from experience, highlighted the importance 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 gap 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 made it and joined that elite group of title winners."

The stage is set. The protagonists are lined up. The Formula 1 world championship will be settled under the lights of Abu Dhabi.