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The finale to the F1 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.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen delivered a stunning display of the campaign – in his stellar career – to secure a scintillating pole position.

McLaren's Lando Norris, who enters the race as title leader with a twelve-point advantage over Verstappen, is next to the Dutch driver on the front row.

The British driver's team-mate Oscar Piastri, 16 points off the lead, starts third, with the Mercedes of George Russell on the row two.

The Simple Equation for The Leader

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

The 26-year-old will clinch the title for the first time if he finishes on the podium, irrespective of what his rivals achieve.

Verstappen, 28, could secure 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 form of drama to happen to his competitors if he is to win his first title. He also approaches the race knowing that there is a chance he might be instructed to move aside and assist Norris win if his own hopes are over.

What Cards Will The Challenger Play?

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

That's understandable. Even though his path to the title is relatively straightforward, the fact Verstappen's is not threatens to make the championship leader's race an difficult one.

With the championship at stake, 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 remains unknown.

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

Verstappen faced the identical query. His response was to point out that such tactics are more difficult to execute now, as changes to the circuit 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 added: "My goal is victory on Sunday, but I also know that that's not enough. So I just hope for some Abu Dhabi magic that unfolds behind me. We shall see what we get."

That comment about "Abu Dhabi magic" is clearly a reference to a historic race where championship fate was completely reversed by pitwall miscalculations.

McLaren boss 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 "setbacks are unavoidable".

As Verstappen put it: "Many things can work in your favour, 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 position, has the luxury of being able to be cautious at the start.

Piastri, when asked about action at Turn One, said: "I'm uncertain about the first corner," 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 'Carries the Burden 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 used them to enhance his performance.

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

"The way through this is to just focus 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 rattling around your head, 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 exclusive club of world champions."

The stage is prepared. The contenders are in position. The Formula 1 world championship will be decided under the lights of Abu Dhabi.