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The finale to the F1 drivers' title could hardly be better set up after the triple championship challengers secured positions at the front of the grid for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

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

McLaren's Lando Norris, who heads into the race as championship favourite with a 12-point advantage over Verstappen, is alongside the Dutchman on the first row.

The British driver's colleague Oscar Piastri, 16 points off the summit, will begin from third, alongside the Mercedes of George Russell on the row two.

The Simple Equation for Norris

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 consecutive title if he takes victory with Norris finishing fourth, or if he is second and Norris finishes outside seventh.

The Australian Piastri, 24, requires some form of drama to befall his rivals if he is to win his maiden championship. He also approaches the race knowing that there is a chance he might be instructed to move aside and assist Norris secure the title if his own chances have faded.

What Cards 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 biggest weekend of his career.

This is logical. Although his path to the title is relatively straightforward, the fact Verstappen's is not could render the championship leader's race an uncomfortable one.

With the title on the line, and taking race victory not good enough on its own for Verstappen, the race is unlikely to be simple. What Verstappen and Red Bull might try to disrupt Norris's race is an open question.

"No idea," Norris said, when questioned if he anticipated 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, as track modifications have made it less stop-start.

"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 Yas Marina drama that unfolds behind me. So let's see what we get."

That remark about "drama at Yas Marina" is clearly a reference to a past race where title destiny was completely reversed by strategy errors.

McLaren team principal 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 "setbacks are unavoidable".

As Verstappen summarised: "Many things can go well for you, can go 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 conservative at the start.

Piastri, when asked about excitement at Turn One, remarked: "Turn One I'm not sure," he said, "{but I'll have some handy."

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

Norris 'Has a Weight on His Shoulders'

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

Even Verstappen, who has appeared utterly relaxed so far, admitted to some anxiety before qualifying, but said that he fed off them to help him perform.

Commentator and ex-title winner Damon Hill, offering from experience, emphasised the importance of composure.

"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... Once you have things on your mind, you can't concentrate."

"It's like 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. Rest is essential."

"It's intense. 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 stage is prepared. The contenders are in position. The F1 world championship will be settled under the floodlights of Abu Dhabi.