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The climax to the Formula 1 drivers' title is perfectly poised after the three title contenders secured positions at the front of the grid for Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen put in a stunning display of the campaign – 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 twelve-point lead over Verstappen, is next to the Dutchman on the front row.

The British driver's colleague Oscar Piastri, 16 points behind the summit, starts third, with the Mercedes of George Russell on the second row.

The Simple Maths for Norris

For Norris, the equation is clear – his objective is straightforward.

The 26-year-old will clinch the title for the first occasion if he finishes on the podium, regardless of what his rivals achieve.

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 form of drama to befall his competitors if he is to claim his maiden championship. He also approaches the race knowing that there is a chance he could be asked to move aside and help Norris secure the title if his own chances have faded.

What Cards Will Verstappen Play?

Norris kept his answers after qualifying relatively short. He appears working hard 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 relatively straightforward, the fact Verstappen's is not could render the points leader's race an uncomfortable 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 is an open question.

"No idea," Norris said, when questioned if he anticipated Verstappen to try to slow him into the pack. "I expect everything. So wait and see."

Verstappen faced the identical query. His answer was to note that it would be harder to execute now, since track modifications have made it less stop-start.

"It was a different layout," Verstappen stated. "In my opinion now you receive a slipstream 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 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 historic race where championship fate was completely reversed by strategy errors.

McLaren boss Andrea Stella, who experienced that agonising race in 2010, has stressed to his team the strength of their year has been and that "bumps on the road 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 first corner – a situation Piastri and Verstappen were involved in there last year.

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

Piastri, when questioned 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 deciders. His reply 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 used them to help him perform.

Commentator and ex-title winner Damon Hill, speaking from experience, emphasised the importance of composure.

"How to handle 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... When 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 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 title winners."

The scene is prepared. The contenders are lined up. The F1 world championship will be decided under the floodlights of Abu Dhabi.