🔗 Share this article

The finale to the Formula 1 world championship is perfectly poised after the triple championship challengers secured positions at the sharp end of the starting lineup 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 blistering pole position.

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

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

The Simple Maths for Norris

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, 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 runner-up and Norris is lower than seventh.

The Australian Piastri, 24, needs some kind of misfortune to happen to his rivals if he is to claim his maiden championship. He also approaches the race aware that there is a chance he could be asked to yield position 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 working hard to keep himself settled and calm as he navigates the biggest weekend of his career.

That's understandable. Although his route to the championship is seemingly simple, the fact Verstappen's is not could render the points leader's race an uncomfortable one.

With the title on the line, and taking race victory not good enough on its own for Verstappen, the race is unlikely to be simple. The tactics Verstappen may employ to get in Norris' way remains unknown.

"No idea," Norris said, when asked whether he anticipated Verstappen to try to back him into the pack. "Anything is possible. So wait and see."

Verstappen was asked the same question. His response was to note that it would be harder to execute now, as track modifications 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 continued: "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 remark about "drama at Yas Marina" is clearly a reference to a historic race where title destiny was turned upside down by pitwall miscalculations.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella, who was involved in that painful race in 2010, has stressed to his team the strength of their year has been and that "setbacks are inevitable".

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

There is also the possibility of contact at the opening turn – a scenario Piastri and Verstappen experienced there last year.

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

Piastri, when questioned about excitement at Turn One, remarked: "Turn One I'm not sure," he said, "{but I'll have some popcorn ready."

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

Norris 'Carries the Burden on His Shoulders'

For each contender, and their teams, the pressure will mount in the hours before the race.

Even Verstappen, who has looked relaxation personified so far, confessed to some anxiety before qualifying, but said that he used them to help him perform.

Commentator and former champion Damon Hill, speaking from experience, highlighted the critical nature of composure.

"The way through 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... 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. You need sleep."

"The pressure is immense. 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 world champions."

The scene is prepared. The protagonists are lined up. The Formula 1 world championship will be settled under the lights of Abu Dhabi.