Hamilton's second book, Sugar Hill, examines the double-edged sword of assimilation facing upwardly mobile Latinos.

NPR: Denise Hamilton's Los Angeles Mysteries

"The team didn't say anything so I thought I was shot, " said Hamilton, who became Britain's ninth world champion and the first since Damon Hill in 1996.

BBC: Ecstatic Hamilton revels in glory

The pairing of Button and Hamilton at McLaren makes them the first team to have two British world champions since Graham Hill and Jim Clark were together at Lotus in 1968.

BBC: Hamilton challenge excites Button

But even if Massa wins, Hamilton only needs to finish fifth for McLaren to become Britain's first world champion since Damon Hill in 1996 and the youngest ever in the history of the sport.

BBC: Massa on pole as Hamilton falters

Meanwhile, Damon Hill, the last Briton to win the Formula One title back in 1996, said he believed Hamilton would eventually win the championship.

BBC: Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen