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The climax to the F1 world championship could hardly be better set up after the three title contenders qualified together at the sharp end of the grid for Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The Red Bull of Max Verstappen put in a stunning display of the campaign – in his stellar career – to take a blistering pole position.

McLaren's Lando Norris, who heads into the race as title leader with a 12-point advantage over Verstappen, is alongside the Dutch driver on the first row.

The Briton's team-mate Oscar Piastri, sixteen points behind the summit, starts third, alongside the Mercedes of George Russell on the second row.

The Straightforward Equation for Norris

For Norris, the equation is clear – and the task looks the same.

The 26 year old will be champion for the first time if he secures a top-three finish, regardless of anyone else's result.

Verstappen, 28, would clinch a fifth consecutive title if he wins the race with Norris finishing fourth, or if he is runner-up and Norris is lower than seventh.

Australian Piastri, 24, requires 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 could be asked to yield position and assist Norris secure the title if his own chances have faded.

What Moves Will The Challenger Play?

Norris was brief after qualifying fairly concise. He seems to be striving to keep himself settled and calm as he experiences the biggest weekend of his career.

This is logical. Although his route to the championship is seemingly simple, the fact Verstappen's is not threatens to make the championship leader's race an uncomfortable 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. 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 slow him into the pack. "I expect everything. So we'll find out."

Verstappen was asked the identical query. His answer was to note that it would be harder to execute now, as track modifications 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 continued: "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 turned upside down by pitwall miscalculations.

McLaren boss Andrea Stella, who experienced that painful race in 2010, has emphasised to his team the strength of their season has been and that "setbacks are unavoidable".

As Verstappen summarised: "A lot can work in your favour, can work against you, and we discover tomorrow."

There is also the possibility of contact at the opening turn – 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 action at Turn One, said: "I'm uncertain about the first corner," he said, "{but I'll have some handy."

He was also asked what he had discovered about title deciders. His answer was succinct: "Funny things 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 ex-title winner Damon Hill, speaking from experience, emphasised the importance of calmness.

"The way through this is to just concentrate 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 on your mind, 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 made it and joined that exclusive club of world champions."

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