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The climax to the Formula 1 world championship could hardly be better set up after the triple championship challengers secured positions at the front of the starting lineup for Sunday's 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 championship favourite with a 12-point advantage over Verstappen, is next to the Dutchman on the first row.

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

The Straightforward Equation for The Leader

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

The 26-year-old will be champion for the first time if he secures a top-three finish, regardless of anyone else's result.

Verstappen, 28, would clinch a fifth consecutive title if he takes victory with Norris finishing fourth, or if he is second and Norris is lower than seventh.

Australian Piastri, 24, requires some kind of misfortune to happen to his rivals if he is to win his maiden championship. He also approaches the race knowing that there is a possibility he might be instructed to move aside and assist Norris win 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 settled and calm as he experiences the biggest weekend of his career.

That's understandable. Even though his route to the championship is relatively straightforward, the fact Verstappen's is not could render the points leader's race an uncomfortable one.

With the championship at stake, 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 remains unknown.

"No idea," Norris said, when asked whether he anticipated Verstappen to try to back him into the pack. "I expect everything. So we'll find out."

Verstappen faced the same question. His response was to note that such tactics are more difficult to execute now, since changes to the circuit have made it less stop-start.

"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 happens behind me. So let's see what we get."

That remark about "drama at Yas Marina" evokes memories of a historic race where title destiny 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 "bumps on the road are unavoidable".

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

There is also the potential of a collision at the opening turn – a scenario 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 asked about excitement at Turn One, said: "I'm uncertain about the first corner," he said, "{but I'll have some popcorn ready."

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

Norris 'Has a Weight on His Shoulders'

For all three, and their teams, the tension will mount in the hours before the race.

Even Verstappen, who has appeared utterly relaxed so far, confessed to some anxiety before qualifying, but said that he fed off them to enhance his performance.

Commentator and former champion Damon Hill, offering from experience, emphasised the importance of calmness.

"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... When 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. 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 made it and joined that exclusive club of title winners."

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