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The climax to the Formula 1 world championship is perfectly poised after the triple championship challengers secured positions at the sharp end of the starting lineup for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

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

McLaren's Lando Norris, who enters the race as title leader with a 12-point advantage over Verstappen, is next to the Dutchman on the first row.

The Briton's colleague Oscar Piastri, sixteen points off the summit, starts 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, irrespective of anyone else's result.

Verstappen, 28, could secure a fifth consecutive title if he wins the race with Norris finishing fourth, or if he is runner-up and Norris finishes outside seventh.

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 knowing that there is a possibility he could be asked to yield position and help Norris secure the title if his own chances have faded.

What Moves Will Verstappen Play?

Norris kept his answers after qualifying relatively short. He seems to be working hard to keep himself settled and calm as he navigates the most intense weekend of his career.

That's understandable. Even though his route to the championship is seemingly simple, the fact Verstappen's is not could render the points leader's race an difficult 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 disrupt Norris's race 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 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 less stop-start.

"The track was configured differently," Verstappen said. "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 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 comment about "Abu Dhabi magic" evokes memories of a past race where title destiny was completely reversed by pitwall miscalculations.

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

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

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

Norris, in his position, has the advantage of being able to be cautious 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 popcorn ready."

He was also queried what he had discovered about title showdowns. 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 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 used them to help him perform.

Commentator and former champion Damon Hill, speaking from experience, emphasised 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... 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 can be world champion or not. You need sleep."

"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 crossed that threshold and joined that exclusive club of title winners."

The stage is prepared. The contenders are lined up. The Formula 1 world championship will be settled under the lights of Abu Dhabi.