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The climax to the Formula 1 world championship is perfectly poised after the triple championship challengers qualified together at the front of the grid for Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen put in one of the performances of the season – in his stellar career – to secure a blistering pole position.

The McLaren driver Lando Norris, who heads into the race as championship favourite with a 12-point lead over Verstappen, is next to the Dutch driver on the front row.

The British driver's colleague Oscar Piastri, sixteen points behind the lead, will begin from third, alongside Mercedes' 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, irrespective of anyone else's result.

Verstappen, 28, could secure a fifth straight title if he wins the race with Norris finishing fourth, or if he is runner-up and Norris finishes outside seventh.

Australian Piastri, 24, requires some form of drama to befall his rivals if he is to claim his maiden championship. He also approaches the race knowing that there is a chance he could be asked to yield position and help Norris secure the title if his own hopes are over.

What Moves Will Verstappen Play?

Norris kept his answers after qualifying relatively short. He appears striving to keep himself composed and focused as he experiences the most intense weekend of his career.

This is logical. Although his path to the title is seemingly simple, the fact Verstappen's is not could render the points 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. The tactics Verstappen may employ to get in Norris' way remains unknown.

"No idea," 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 was asked the same question. His answer was to note that such tactics are more difficult to execute now, since track modifications have made it more flowing.

"The track was configured differently," Verstappen said. "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 victory alone is insufficient. So I just hope for some Yas Marina drama that unfolds behind me. So let's see what we get."

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

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella, who was involved in that agonising race in 2010, has emphasised to his team the strength of their season has been and that "setbacks are unavoidable".

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

There is also the potential of contact 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, remarked: "I'm uncertain about the first corner," he said, "{but I'll have some popcorn ready."

He was also queried what he had learned about title showdowns. His reply was succinct: "Funny things can happen. That's what I've learned."

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

Commentator and ex-title winner Damon Hill, offering from experience, emphasised the critical nature of composure.

"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... Once you have things rattling around your head, 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 might become world champion or not. You need sleep."

"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 exclusive club of world champions."

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