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The finale to the Formula 1 world championship is perfectly poised after the three title contenders qualified together at the sharp end of the grid for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The Red Bull of Max Verstappen put in a stunning display of the season – in his stellar career – to secure a scintillating pole position.

The McLaren driver Lando Norris, who heads into the race as title leader with a 12-point lead over Verstappen, is alongside the Dutch driver on the first row.

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

The Simple Maths 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, irrespective of anyone else's result.

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

Australian Piastri, 24, needs 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 chance he could be asked to move aside and help Norris win if his own chances have faded.

What Moves Will Verstappen Play?

Norris was brief after qualifying fairly concise. He appears striving to keep himself composed and focused as he navigates the biggest weekend of his career.

This is logical. Although his path to the title is seemingly simple, the fact Verstappen's is not threatens to make the points leader's race an difficult one.

With the title on the line, and taking race victory not good enough on its own for Verstappen, the race is probably not going to be simple. The tactics Verstappen may employ to get in Norris' way remains unknown.

"I don't know," Norris said, when asked whether he expected Verstappen to try to back him into the pack. "I expect everything. So wait and see."

Verstappen was asked the same question. His answer was to note that such tactics are more difficult to execute now, as changes to the circuit have made it less stop-start.

"It was a different layout," Verstappen stated. "In my opinion now you get towed 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 Abu Dhabi magic that happens behind me. So let's see what we get."

That remark about "drama at Yas Marina" is clearly a reference to a past race where championship fate was turned upside down by strategy errors.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella, who was involved in that agonising race in 2010, has stressed to his team how strong their season has been and that "setbacks are inevitable".

As Verstappen summarised: "A lot can work in your favour, can go against you, and we find out tomorrow."

There is also the possibility of a collision at the first corner – a situation Piastri and Verstappen experienced 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, 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 answer was succinct: "Funny things can happen. That's what I've learned."

Norris 'Carries the Burden on His Shoulders'

For each contender, and their teams, the tension will build 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 ex-title winner Damon Hill, offering from experience, emphasised 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... Once you have things on your mind, 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 carries a burden on his shoulders... on Sunday he'll know whether he has crossed that threshold and joined that exclusive club of title winners."

The scene is prepared. The contenders are in position. The F1 world championship will be settled under the lights of Abu Dhabi.