🔗 Share this article

The finale to the Formula 1 world championship could hardly be better set up after the three title contenders secured positions at the front of the starting lineup for Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

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

The McLaren driver Lando Norris, who enters the race as title leader with a 12-point lead over Verstappen, is next to the Dutch driver on the front row.

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

The Simple 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 time if he finishes on the podium, irrespective 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.

The Australian Piastri, 24, requires some form of drama to befall his rivals if he is to win his first title. He also approaches the race aware that there is a chance he could be asked to yield position and assist Norris secure the title if his own hopes are over.

What Moves Will The Challenger Play?

Norris was brief after qualifying relatively short. He appears striving to keep himself settled and calm as he experiences the biggest 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 title on the line, and winning the grand prix 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 questioned if he expected Verstappen to try to back him into the pack. "Anything is possible. So we'll find out."

Verstappen was asked the same question. His response was to note that it would be harder to execute now, since track modifications have made it less stop-start.

"It was a different layout," Verstappen stated. "In my opinion 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 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 comment about "drama at Yas Marina" is clearly a reference to a historic race where championship fate was turned upside down by strategy errors.

McLaren boss Andrea Stella, who was involved in that painful race in 2010, has stressed to his team how strong their season has been and that "setbacks are unavoidable".

As Verstappen summarised: "Many things can go well for you, can work against you, and we discover tomorrow."

There is also the possibility of contact at the opening turn – a situation 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 action at Turn One, remarked: "Turn One I'm not sure," he said, "{but I'll have some handy."

He was also queried what he had learned about title showdowns. His answer 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 pressure will mount in the hours before the race.

Even Verstappen, who has looked relaxation personified so far, admitted 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 calmness.

"How to handle 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... 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 might become world champion or not. Rest is essential."

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

The scene is set. The protagonists are in position. The Formula 1 world championship will be settled under the lights of Abu Dhabi.