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The climax to the F1 world championship is perfectly poised after the triple championship challengers secured positions at the front of the grid for Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen put in one of the performances of the campaign – and of his illustrious career – to take a scintillating pole position.

The McLaren driver Lando Norris, who heads into the race as title leader with a twelve-point advantage over Verstappen, is alongside the Dutchman on the first row.

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

The Straightforward Maths for Norris

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

The 26-year-old will be champion 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 takes victory with Norris in fourth, or if he is second and Norris is lower than seventh.

Australian Piastri, 24, requires some form of drama to happen to his competitors if he is to claim his first title. He also approaches the race knowing that there is a possibility he could be asked to yield position and assist Norris secure the title if his own hopes are over.

What Moves Will Verstappen Play?

Norris kept his answers after qualifying relatively short. He seems to be working hard to keep himself composed and focused 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 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. The tactics Verstappen may employ to disrupt Norris's race is an open question.

"I don't know," Norris said, when questioned if he expected Verstappen to try to slow him into the pack. "Anything is possible. So we'll find out."

Verstappen faced the same question. His answer was to note that it would be harder to execute now, since changes to the circuit have made it more flowing.

"The track was configured differently," Verstappen stated. "I feel like now you receive a slipstream 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 victory alone is insufficient. So I just hope for some Abu Dhabi magic 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 experienced that agonising race in 2010, has emphasised to his team the strength of their season has been and that "setbacks are unavoidable".

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

There is also the potential of a collision at the first corner – a situation 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, remarked: "I'm uncertain about the first corner," he said, "{but I'll have some handy."

He was also asked what he had discovered about title deciders. His reply was succinct: "Unexpected events can happen. That's what I've learnt."

Norris 'Carries the Burden on His Shoulders'

For each contender, and their teams, the tension will build 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 ex-title winner Damon Hill, offering from experience, highlighted the importance of composure.

"The way through this is to just concentrate 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 rattling around your head, 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. You need sleep."

"It's intense. It's what you've always wanted. Lando has a weight on his shoulders... on Sunday he'll know whether he has made it and joined that elite group of world champions."

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