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The climax to the F1 drivers' title is perfectly poised after the triple championship challengers qualified together at the front of the starting lineup for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

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

McLaren's Lando Norris, who enters the race as title leader with a 12-point lead over Verstappen, is next to the Dutchman on the front row.

The Briton's colleague Oscar Piastri, 16 points behind the summit, will begin from third, with the Mercedes of 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 clinch the title for the first time if he finishes on the podium, irrespective of what his rivals achieve.

Verstappen, 28, could secure a fifth consecutive title if he takes victory with Norris finishing fourth, or if he is runner-up and Norris finishes outside seventh.

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

What Moves Will The Challenger Play?

Norris kept his answers 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 path to the title is seemingly simple, the fact Verstappen's is not could render the championship leader's race an difficult one.

With the title on the line, and winning the grand prix not good enough on its own for Verstappen, the race is unlikely to be simple. What Verstappen and Red Bull might try to get in Norris' way remains unknown.

"No idea," Norris said, when asked whether he anticipated Verstappen to try to back him into the pack. "I expect everything. So we'll find out."

Verstappen was asked the same question. His response was to point out that such tactics are more difficult to execute now, as changes to the circuit have made it more flowing.

"It was a different layout," Verstappen stated. "I feel like now you get towed 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 Yas Marina drama that unfolds behind me. So let's see what we get."

That comment about "Abu Dhabi magic" 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 painful race in 2010, has stressed to his team the strength of their season has been and that "setbacks are unavoidable".

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

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

Norris, in his favourable position, has the advantage of being able to be conservative at the start.

Piastri, when questioned about action at Turn One, remarked: "Turn One I'm not sure," he said, "{but I'll have some handy."

He was also queried what he had discovered about title deciders. His reply was succinct: "Unexpected events can happen. That's what I've learned."

Norris 'Has a Weight on His Shoulders'

For each contender, and their teams, the tension 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, speaking from experience, emphasised the importance of calmness.

"How to handle this is to just concentrate on what you do for a living," Hill said. "You work with the engineers and try to make the car go faster... When you have things on your mind, you can't concentrate."

"It's like 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. Rest is essential."

"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 crossed that threshold and joined that elite group of world champions."

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