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The finale to the F1 world championship is perfectly poised after the three title contenders qualified together at the sharp end of the starting lineup for Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The Red Bull of Max Verstappen delivered one of the performances of the season – and of his illustrious career – to take a scintillating pole position.

The McLaren driver Lando Norris, who enters the race as championship favourite with a twelve-point advantage over Verstappen, is next to the Dutchman on the first row.

The British driver's colleague Oscar Piastri, 16 points off the lead, will begin from third, alongside Mercedes' George Russell on the second row.

The Simple Maths for Norris

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

The 26 year old will clinch the title for the first occasion if he finishes on the podium, 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 is lower than seventh.

Australian Piastri, 24, requires some form of drama to befall his rivals if he is to claim 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 secure the title if his own chances have faded.

What Cards Will Verstappen Play?

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

That's understandable. 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 taking race victory not good enough on its own for Verstappen, the race is unlikely to be simple. The tactics Verstappen may employ to get in Norris' way is an open question.

"I don't know," Norris said, when questioned if he anticipated Verstappen to try to back him into the pack. "Anything is possible. So we'll find out."

Verstappen faced the identical query. His response was to note that such tactics are more difficult to execute now, since changes to the circuit have made it less stop-start.

"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 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 "Abu Dhabi magic" is clearly a reference to a past race where championship fate was completely reversed by strategy errors.

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

As Verstappen summarised: "A lot can go well for you, can go against you, and we discover tomorrow."

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

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

Piastri, when questioned about excitement at Turn One, remarked: "I'm uncertain about the first corner," 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 learnt."

Norris 'Has a Weight on His Shoulders'

For all three, 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 former champion Damon Hill, speaking from experience, highlighted the importance of composure.

"The way through this is to just focus 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 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 made it and joined that exclusive club of world champions."

The stage is prepared. The contenders are lined up. The Formula 1 world championship will be settled under the floodlights of Abu Dhabi.