F1 Championship Decider Could Hardly Be Better Set Up.

The climax to the F1 drivers' title is perfectly poised after the three title contenders secured positions at the front of the starting lineup for Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen delivered one of the performances of the season – in his stellar career – to take a scintillating pole position.

The McLaren driver Lando Norris, who enters the race as championship favourite with a twelve-point advantage over Verstappen, is next to the Dutchman on the first row.

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

The Straightforward Maths for The Leader

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

The 26-year-old will be champion for the first occasion if he secures a top-three finish, irrespective 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 is lower than seventh.

Australian Piastri, 24, requires some form of drama to befall his competitors if he is to claim his first title. He will also head into the race aware that there is a chance he might be instructed to move aside and assist Norris secure the title if his own hopes are over.

What Cards Will Verstappen Play?

Norris kept his answers after qualifying fairly concise. He appears striving to keep himself composed and focused as he navigates the biggest weekend of his career.

This is logical. Although his path to the title is seemingly simple, 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 sufficient on its own for Verstappen, the race is unlikely to be simple. The tactics Verstappen may employ to get in Norris' way remains unknown.

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

Verstappen faced the same question. His answer was to point out that such tactics are more difficult to execute now, as track modifications have made it less stop-start.

"The track was configured differently," Verstappen said. "I feel like now you get towed 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 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" is clearly a reference to a historic race where championship fate was completely reversed by strategy errors.

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

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

There is also the possibility of a collision at the opening turn – a scenario Piastri and Verstappen were involved in there last year.

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

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 'Has a Weight on His Shoulders'

For each contender, and their teams, the pressure 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 fed off them to help him perform.

Commentator and former champion Damon Hill, speaking 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 moment before you go to sleep? You try sleeping when you might become 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 title winners."

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