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The finale to the F1 drivers' title is perfectly poised after the three title contenders secured positions at the sharp end of the grid for Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen put in a stunning display of the season – and of his illustrious career – to secure a blistering pole position.

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

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

The Straightforward 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 secures a top-three finish, regardless of anyone else's result.

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

The Australian Piastri, 24, requires some form of drama to befall his competitors if he is to win his maiden championship. He will also head into the race aware that there is a possibility he might be instructed to yield position and assist Norris win if his own chances have faded.

What Moves Will The Challenger Play?

Norris kept his answers after qualifying fairly concise. He seems to be working hard to keep himself settled and calm as he navigates the biggest weekend of his career.

That's understandable. Although his route to the championship is relatively straightforward, the fact Verstappen's is not threatens to make the championship leader's race an uncomfortable one.

With the title on the line, and taking race victory not sufficient on its own for Verstappen, the race is probably not going to be simple. What Verstappen and Red Bull might try to get in Norris' way remains unknown.

"I don't know," Norris said, when asked whether 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 point out that such tactics are more difficult to execute now, since track modifications have made it more flowing.

"It was a different layout," Verstappen stated. "In my opinion now you get towed 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 victory alone is insufficient. So I just hope for some Yas Marina drama that unfolds behind me. We shall 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 team principal Andrea Stella, who experienced that agonising 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 potential of a collision at the opening turn – a situation Piastri and Verstappen experienced there last year.

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

Piastri, when asked 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 learned about title deciders. His answer 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 pressure will mount 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 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 made it and joined that elite group of world champions."

The scene is set. The protagonists are lined up. The Formula 1 world championship will be settled under the floodlights of Abu Dhabi.