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The climax to the Formula 1 drivers' title is perfectly poised after the triple championship challengers secured positions at the sharp end of the starting lineup for the 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 alongside the Dutch driver on the first row.

The British driver's colleague Oscar Piastri, sixteen points off the lead, starts third, with Mercedes' George Russell on the row two.

The Simple Maths for The Leader

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

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

Verstappen, 28, would clinch a fifth straight title if he wins the race with Norris in fourth, or if he is runner-up and Norris finishes outside seventh.

The Australian Piastri, 24, requires some form of drama to happen to his rivals if he is to claim his first title. He will also head into 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 Moves Will The Challenger Play?

Norris kept his answers after qualifying relatively short. He appears working hard to keep himself composed and focused as he navigates the most intense 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 points leader's race an uncomfortable one.

With the championship at stake, 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 remains unknown.

"I don't know," Norris said, when asked whether he anticipated Verstappen to try to back him into the pack. "Anything is possible. So wait and see."

Verstappen faced the same question. His response was to note that such tactics are more difficult to execute now, since track modifications have made it more flowing.

"The track was configured differently," Verstappen said. "I feel like now you receive a slipstream around a lot more. So it's not as easy to do that."

He added: "I want to win tomorrow, but I also know that that's not enough. So I just hope for some Abu Dhabi magic that unfolds behind me. We shall see what we get."

That remark about "Abu Dhabi magic" is clearly a reference to a historic race where championship fate was turned upside down by strategy errors.

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

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

There is also the possibility of contact at the first corner – 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 questioned about action at Turn One, said: "Turn One I'm not sure," he said, "{but I'll have some popcorn ready."

He was also queried what he had discovered about title showdowns. His answer was succinct: "Funny things can happen. That's what I've learned."

Norris 'Carries the Burden on His Shoulders'

For each contender, and their teams, the pressure will mount in the hours before the race.

Even Verstappen, who has looked relaxation personified so far, admitted to some anxiety before qualifying, but said that he used them to help him perform.

Commentator and former champion Damon Hill, offering from experience, highlighted the critical nature 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... Once 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 can be world champion or not. You need sleep."

"The pressure is immense. 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 elite group of title winners."

The stage is prepared. The contenders are in position. The F1 world championship will be decided under the lights of Abu Dhabi.