🔗 Share this article

The climax to the Formula 1 drivers' title could hardly be better set up after the three title contenders secured positions at the front of the grid for Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The Red Bull of Max Verstappen put in one of the performances of the campaign – in his stellar career – to secure a scintillating pole position.

McLaren's Lando Norris, who heads into the race as championship favourite with a twelve-point lead over Verstappen, is next to the Dutchman on the front row.

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

The Simple Equation for The Leader

For Norris, the equation is clear – and the task looks the same.

The 26-year-old will be champion for the first time if he secures a top-three finish, regardless of what his rivals achieve.

Verstappen, 28, would clinch a fifth straight title if he wins the race with Norris in fourth, or if he is second and Norris finishes outside seventh.

Australian Piastri, 24, needs some form of drama to happen to his rivals if he is to win his maiden championship. He also approaches the race aware that there is a chance he could be asked to move aside and assist Norris win if his own chances have faded.

What Cards Will Verstappen Play?

Norris kept his answers after qualifying fairly concise. He seems to be striving to keep himself composed and focused as he experiences the biggest weekend of his career.

This is logical. Although his path to the title is seemingly simple, the fact Verstappen's is not could render the championship leader's race an uncomfortable one.

With the championship at stake, and winning the grand prix not sufficient on its own for Verstappen, the race is unlikely 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 back him into the pack. "I expect everything. So we'll find out."

Verstappen was asked the same question. His response was to point out that it would be harder to execute now, as changes to the circuit have made it more flowing.

"The track was configured differently," Verstappen said. "I feel like 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 that's not enough. So I just hope for some Yas Marina drama that happens behind me. We shall see what we get."

That remark about "Abu Dhabi magic" evokes memories of a past race where championship fate was completely reversed by strategy errors.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella, who was involved in that painful race in 2010, has stressed to his team how strong their year has been and that "bumps on the road are inevitable".

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

There is also the potential of a collision at the first corner – a scenario Piastri and Verstappen experienced there last year.

Norris, in his position, has the luxury of being able to be cautious at the start.

Piastri, when questioned about action at Turn One, remarked: "I'm uncertain about the first corner," he said, "{but I'll have some handy."

He was also queried what he had learned about title deciders. His reply 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, admitted to some nerves before qualifying, but said that he fed off them to enhance his performance.

Commentator and former champion Damon Hill, speaking from experience, highlighted the importance of calmness.

"How to handle 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... When you have things on your mind, you can't concentrate."

"You know when you lie down in bed at night, there's that gap 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 crossed that threshold and joined that elite group of world champions."

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