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The climax to the Formula 1 drivers' title could hardly be better set up after the triple championship challengers qualified together at the front of the starting lineup for Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The Red Bull of Max Verstappen put in one of the performances of the campaign – and of his illustrious career – to secure a scintillating pole position.

McLaren's Lando Norris, who heads into the race as title leader with a twelve-point lead over Verstappen, is alongside the Dutch driver on the front row.

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

The Straightforward Maths for The Leader

For Norris, the maths are simple – and the task looks the same.

The 26 year old will be champion for the first time if he finishes on the podium, irrespective of anyone else's result.

Verstappen, 28, would clinch a fifth consecutive title if he takes victory with Norris finishing fourth, or if he is second and Norris finishes outside seventh.

Australian Piastri, 24, requires some kind of misfortune to happen to his rivals if he is to win his first title. He will also head into the race knowing that there is a possibility he could be asked to move aside and help Norris secure the title if his own hopes are over.

What Moves Will Verstappen Play?

Norris was brief after qualifying relatively short. He seems to be striving to keep himself composed and focused as he experiences the biggest weekend of his career.

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

With the championship at stake, 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 disrupt Norris's race is an open question.

"I don't know," Norris said, when questioned if he expected Verstappen to try to back him into the pack. "I expect everything. So we'll find out."

Verstappen faced the same question. His response was to note that such tactics are more difficult to execute now, as changes to the circuit 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 Abu Dhabi magic that happens behind me. We shall see what we get."

That comment about "drama at Yas Marina" evokes memories of a past race where title destiny was turned upside down by strategy errors.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella, who experienced that painful race in 2010, has emphasised to his team how strong their season has been and that "bumps on the road are unavoidable".

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

There is also the possibility of contact at the opening turn – a scenario Piastri and Verstappen were involved in there last year.

Norris, in his 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 popcorn ready."

He was also asked what he had discovered about title showdowns. His answer 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 tension 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 fed off them to enhance his performance.

Commentator and former champion 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 gap before you go to sleep? You try sleeping when you can be 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 crossed that threshold and joined that elite group of world champions."

The scene is prepared. The protagonists are in position. The Formula 1 world championship will be settled under the lights of Abu Dhabi.