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The finale to the F1 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 season – in his stellar career – to secure a scintillating pole position.

The McLaren driver Lando Norris, who enters the race as title leader with a twelve-point advantage over Verstappen, is alongside the Dutch driver on the first row.

The British driver's team-mate Oscar Piastri, sixteen points behind the lead, starts third, with the Mercedes of George Russell on the row two.

The Straightforward Maths for The Leader

For Norris, the maths are simple – his objective is straightforward.

The 26-year-old will be champion for the first occasion if he secures a top-three finish, regardless of what his rivals achieve.

Verstappen, 28, would clinch a fifth straight title if he takes victory with Norris finishing fourth, or if he is runner-up and Norris is lower than seventh.

Australian Piastri, 24, needs some form of drama to befall his rivals if he is to claim his maiden championship. He will also head into the race aware that there is a possibility he might be instructed to move aside and assist 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 settled and calm as he navigates the most intense weekend of his career.

This is logical. Even though his route to the championship is seemingly simple, the fact Verstappen's is not threatens to make the points 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 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 expected Verstappen to try to back him into the pack. "Anything is possible. So we'll find out."

Verstappen was asked the identical query. His answer was to note that it would be harder to execute now, since changes to the circuit have made it more flowing.

"The track was configured differently," Verstappen said. "In my opinion now you receive a slipstream 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 happens behind me. We shall see what we get."

That comment about "Abu Dhabi magic" is clearly a reference to a historic race where title destiny was completely reversed by strategy errors.

McLaren boss Andrea Stella, who experienced that painful race in 2010, has stressed to his team the strength of their year has been and that "bumps on the road are inevitable".

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

There is also the potential of a collision at the opening turn – a situation Piastri and Verstappen experienced there last year.

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

Piastri, when questioned about action at Turn One, remarked: "I'm uncertain about the first corner," he said, "{but I'll have some popcorn ready."

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

Norris 'Carries the Burden on His Shoulders'

For all three, and their teams, the tension will build 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 used them to help him perform.

Commentator and former champion Damon Hill, speaking from experience, emphasised the critical nature of composure.

"How to handle 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 rattling around your head, 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 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 crossed that threshold and joined that exclusive club of world champions."

The stage is set. The protagonists are lined up. The F1 world championship will be settled under the lights of Abu Dhabi.